By CARLO ANOLIN
The gallant Knights of Intramuros have fulfilled their duties. They are, once again,the kings of NCAA.
With guns all blazing in the second quarter, the Letran Knights hacked out
Letran went all guns blazing in the second quarter to hack out an 81-67 victory to complete a rare three-peat in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Finals Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Knights, who played without graduating team captain Fran Yu, overcame the challenge imposed by the Blazers with a commanding first half behind the joint efforts of Brent Paraiso, King Caralipio, and Louie Sangalang.
Letran likewise denied St. Benilde of its own mission to break its two-decade title drought and limited Will Gozum, Season 98 Most Valuable Player, to only 10 points and two rebounds.
Caralipio carried the cudgels for the Knights and stepped up big time by dropping 12 of his 20 points on a 7-of-10 shooting in the first half and finishing with 10 rebounds and two assists enough for him to be hailed as the Finals MVP.
Caralipio’s feat and efforts were a tribute fit for Yu, who himself bagged the same award back in Season 95. Knights head tactician also took home the Season 98 Coach of the Year honor.
“Ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, ‘di ko maipaliwanag. Nakakaiyak. Lahat ng sakripisyo namin nagbunga na,” said Caralipio, who averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists per game, beaming a huge smile on his face.
“Para sa inyo ‘to Letran community! At sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa’min! Para kay Fran Yu!” added Caralipio, who is set to depart from his collegiate career on a high note, being part also of the Mythical Five.
Paraiso scored 16 points along with three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks while Kobe Monje chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
A huge 28-7 attack enabled Letran to pull away for good heading into the third quarter sparked by Paraiso’s three-pointer en route to a 51-33 first half advantage.
Third quarter saw more resistance coming from the Blazers but they could not put a stop to the Knights’ consistent conversion with Caralipio, Paraiso, and Kurt Reyson conniving for the offense.
Letran still kept its lead by as many as 15 points, 75-60, down to the last five minutes of the payoff period courtesy of Paraiso.
A couple of technical free throws from Paraiso and Paolo Javillonar enabled Letran to keep a 13-point lead, 80-67.
Within that sequence, Gozum was slapped with a disqualifying foul upon contact with Javillonar which automatically sent him out of the playing court.
Reyson iced the game with a split free throw of his own as the Knights secured their third straight NCAA title since Season 95.
Miggy Corteza led the Blazers with 14 points and seven rebounds while Jimboy Pasturan had 10 points and six assists on a losing effort.
The scores:
LETRAN 81 ‒ Caralipio 20, Paraiso 16, Monje 11, Reyson 8, Sangalang 8, Santos 7, Olivario 4, Go 4, Guarino 2, Javillonar 1, Tolentino 0, Bojorcelo 0.
CSB 67 ‒ Corteza 14, Pasturan 10, Gozum 10, Oczon 9, Sangco 6, Nayve 6, Flores 5, Marcos 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Davis 0.
Quarters: 24-21, 51-33, 70-54, 81-67.
