Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Letran Knights squandered a huge lead, but held on to stun the San Beda Red Lions, 93-80, in their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) encounter on Thursday (July 16) at The Arena in San Juan.
In control the entire way, the Knights joined Perpetual Help Altas at the helm with identical 3-0 win-loss records. San Beda, meanwhile, dropped to 2-1.
The five-peat champions Red Lions, who lost star point guard Baser Amer earlier in the game due to injury, erased a 21-point deficit and turned the game into a nip-and-tuck battle in the final frame.
They sliced the lead to five, but the Knights made sure their defense would not hold up to walk away with the win.
In the opening game, Lyceum Pirates hammered out a 72-69 victory over Benilde Blazers for their first win in the NCAA.
Lyceum improved to 1-2, while the Blazers absorbed their third loss in four outings.
Shaq Alanes played the hero role for the Pirates as he dropped 18 points to go with a rebound and two assists.
