San Beda’s four-peat bid is still alive.
Newly-crowned MVP Calvin Oftana completed a three-point play with still 19 ticks left then the Red Lions watch Letran’s Bonbon Batiller miss an open undergoal stab to escape with a thrilling 79-76 win in Game 2 of the NCAA Finals Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The completed three-point play gave the Lions a 77-76 lead which they preserved as Batiller bungled what appeared to be a sure basket.
But to the horror of Letran supporters, he missed his target.
With a crowd of more than 18,000, the Lions showed why they were champions the past three seasons as they never wavered despite trailing the Knights for most of the last two minutes – thanks largely to the team’s great resolve.
Oftana finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks – numbers befitting his status as the league Most Valuable Player.
Oftana’s heroics forced a rubber match on Tuesday also at the same venue.
Also roaring for the Lions was James Canlas-Kwekuteye.
Canlas-Kwekuteye showed his worth as a member of the Mythical Team by posting 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
He capped his game-long brilliance with two freebies with 4.5 seconds left before the Red Lions made a tough stance in the endgame, distracting Jerrick Balanza’s desperation pass to Allen Mina as time expired.
Earlier, Oftana formally received his MVP trophy during the awarding ceremony.
Oftana topped the Statistical Points departmentwith 51.56 Player Average Value (PAV). He joined teammates Evan Nelle and James Canlas, LPU’s Jaycee Marcelino and San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi in the Mythical Team.
Oftana was also named to the All-Defensive Team together with Perpetual Help’s Ben Adamos, Emilio Aguinaldo College’s JP Maguliano, San Sebastian’s JM Calma and Arellano University’s Justin Arana, the season’s Rookie of the Year.
Letran’s Fran Yu bagged the Most Improved Player award, while Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua of San Beda was named the season’s Best Foreign Player and his compatriot Mike Nzeusseu of LPU was given the Best Defensive Foreign Player. (Waylon Galvez)
The scores:
SAN BEDA 79 – Canlas-Kwekuteye 21, Oftana 17, Doliguez 17, Carino 7, Nelle 5, Soberano 5, Cuntapay 3, Tankoua 2, Abuda 2, Bahio 0, Noah 0.
LETRAN 76 – Yu 23, Muyang 17, Batiller 11, Ambohot 9, Balanza 9, Caralipio 7, Olivario 0, Ular 0, Mina 0, Reyson 0, Balagasay 0, Sangalang 0.
Quarters: 18-7; 37-25; 53-56; 79-76.
