Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) — The composure of defending NCAA champions Letran Knights was tested in their Final Four encounter as they grinded out a tough 77-75 win against a resilient Perpetual Help Altas on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The win was Letran’s 10th straight in Season 97 and secured the second straight finals berth for the Muralla-based cagers.
It was a tough victory for the Knights, who had to overturn a three-point halftime deficit to tally a seven-point lead after the third quarter with Rhenz Abando and Jeo Ambohot leading the scoring attack.
After leading nine points in the early part of the final period, Letran was shocked by the sudden Perpetual uprising late in the game after pesky Altas scorers Jeff Egan and Jielo Razon converted their crucial baskets to trim their deficit to only a point.
Perpetual notched good defensive stops down the stretch, notably the offensive foul called on Letran playmaker Fran Yu over a push to Rey Barcuma in the last 48 seconds of the match.
But Altas big man Mark Omega missed his two free-throws as Yu split his own charities with seven seconds remaining in the tight semifinals battle. Razon failed to land his three-point attempt in the final play as he was doubled team by Yu and Brent Paraiso.
Rhenz Abando led all scorers in the game as he tied his career-high 24 points while Jeo Ambohot and Yu added 14 and 13 markers, respectively, for the Knights’ gritty win.
Letran will attempt for their first back-to-back title conquest since 2000 as they will wait for the winner of the other semifinals clash between Mapua University and San Beda University.
Razon topscored for Perpetual with 21 points along with 11 rebounds while Egan contributed 14 markers for the team that survived their previous three knockout games before the semifinals.
The Scores:
LETRAN 77 — Abando 24, Ambohot 14, Yu 13, Paraiso 7, Sangalang 7, Olivario 5, Javillonar 4, Reyson 2, Mina 1, Caralipio 0, Fajarito 0.
PERPETUAL 75 — Razon 21, Egan 14, Abis 11, Pagaran 8, Omega 7, Boral 6, Barcuma 4, Cuevas 4, Martel 0, Kawamura 0, Sevilla 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 36-39, 62-55, 77-75.
