Letran returned to the NCAA Finals after squeaking past Perpetual Help, 74-70, in Game 2 of their NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final Four series at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
The Knights reached the championship round for the first time since 2022, when they completed a rare three-peat.
Since then, Letran hasn’t tasted a Final Four appearance. That was, until Friday when they swept the Altas in their best-of-three semifinals series.
‘I just kept my faith in the Lord that we’re going make stops and have good execution,’ said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.
‘The team is blessed that we’re in the championship now and we’ll work on it more.’
The Knights trailed by as many as 13 points before setting up a cardiac finish.
Staring at a six-point deficit, Letran went on an 8-0 surge capped by Jimbo Estrada’s corner triple for a 72-70 lead with 1:41 remaining.
Jun Roque sank two free throws to ice the game with only six ticks to go, atoning for his missed freebies the play before.
Jonathan Manalili powered Letran anew with a double-double of 16 points and 14 assists. Estrada added 11 points.
Patrick Sleat and Mark Gojo Cruz provided the offense for the Altas with 17 and 15 points, respectively, but to no avail. John Abis’ double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds also went down the drain.
Letran will face the winner of the other semifinals matchup featuring San Beda and College of St. Benilde.
The Blazers sent their series to a deciding Game 3 on Ian Torres’ buzzer-beating floater earlier.
The scores:
LETRAN 74 – Manalili 16, Estrada 11, Roque 9, Cuajao 9, Omega 7, Buensalida 7, Santos 6, Gammad 5, Tapenio 4, Montecillo 0
PERPETUAL HELP 70 – Sleat 17, Gojo Cruz 15, Abis 10, Orgo 7, Nuñez 6, Boral 5, Tulabut 3, Alcantara 3, Casinilio 2, Maglupay 2
Quarter scores: 18-15, 39-42, 54-64, 74-70