By: Jerod Orcullo
This ends the Letran Knight's NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball journey after a final loss to arch rivals, San Beda Red Lions. Photo courtesy of Yvonne Altaire Solon of The LANCE.
The Letran Knights were bested by rival San Beda Red Lions in the final game of the elimination round, 68-77, in the NCAA Season 99 tournament at FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan earlier today.
A matchup with a lengthy history of battles met with triumph and despair, Letran against San Beda commenced once again only this time it saw them clash in a non-bearing contest as the two squads sat at opposite ends of the spectrum and it showed in the result.
Kobe Monje had another productive day in the office with a double-double performance of 17 markers and 11 rebounds, followed by 15 and 13 from Deo Cuajao and Kint Ariar, respectively.
With the Knights being able to trim the lead down to three, Jacob Cortez stepped up big time for the Red Lions with a clutch mid range basket and the dagger from rainbow country to put a stop to Letran’s desire to come back in the ball game, 68-77.
Letran jumped to a seven-point lead late into the first but San Beda’s Dani Cuntapay ensured that his team stayed in the game as he cashed in back to back treys to trim the lead and keep the game close, 16-14.
Despite Cuajao’s eight point quarter, the blue shirts saw themselves down at the end of the half, 33-41, as San Beda poured down points from inside the paint and from beyond the arc, converting 47.1% from the field.
The Legarda-based squad widened the gap by as many as 17. In an effort to stay in the contest Coach Rensy Bajar employed a zone defense to halt the Red Lions’ sharp offensive production backed by timely baskets from Monje and Ariar headed to the final chapter, 48-60.
As all hope seemed lost for the Knights, the defending champions had one run left in them with a 21-11 breakaway to try and end this otherwise disappointing yet promising season on a high note.
Cortez paced his team with a 16-point game and three dimes, Jomel Puno had 15 of his own along with 6 boards, while James Payosing finished with four points and snatched 11 rebounds.
While San Beda will chase the Season 99 Championship in the Final Four, the Letran Knights head back to the drawing boards as they look to improve their odds for next season to get back to their title-winning ways.
The scores:
Quarter Scores: 16-14, 33-41, 48-60, 68-77.
LETRAN (68) - Monje 17, Cuajao 15, Ariar 13, Garupil 8, Santos 7, Go 3, Bojorcelo 2, Nunag 2, Jumao-as 1, Batallier 0, Brillantes 0, Bautista 0.
SAN BEDA (77) - Cortez 17, Puno 15, Jopia 11, Andrada 10, Cuntapay 9, Alfaro 6, Payosing 4, Tagle 3, Visser 2, Gonzales 0, Royo 0, Gallego 0.