"What a week!"

This week was a very busy week. I went to Bataan twice, But the highlight of this week is the Letran Knights bringing home the bacon in the 81st season of the NCAA.

Letran Knights Captures 81st NCAA Title


WITH all the marbles at stake, Letran College made sure there wouldn’t be any fourth quarter collapse this time.

The Knights displayed tremendous poise in the final frame on their way to dethroning the Philippine Christian U Dolphins, hammering a 62-54 win in the deciding Game 3 of the 81st NCAA men’s basketball Finals last night at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.

The win not only avenged the Intramuros-based dribblers’ heartbreaking semifinal defeat against PCU last year, but it gave the school its league-leading 16th overall title in the country’s oldest collegiate cage league.

“God is so good,” said Letran coach Louie Alas, who was named the tournament’s Coach of the Year. “I’d like to commend the boys for the hardship despite all the problems we went through this season.

”We watched PCU win the title last season, and my players promised me that we’ll win next year. Then after losing Game 1, I reminded my players that they have to honor that promise. Eto na ‘yun,” he added.

It was the third NCAA title for Alas, guiding the Knights to the championship in 1998 and 2003.

Though Letran was sometimes uncertain in the sudden death game against a formidable opponent in PCU that is capable of bouncing back after a humiliating 60-78 loss in Game 2 last Wednesday, Alas never doubted his players’ determination to win the championship.

“Nakita ko ‘yung resiliency and toughness sa kanila, kaya alam ko, kahit na minsan may duda at alam namin malakas ang kalaban, amin itong championship na ‘to,” said the 37-year-old Alas.

Boyet Bautista, the 21-year-old veteran playmaker from Batangas, was named NCAA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) as he dropped 13 points on top of five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

After the Dolphins moved to within 47-49, Bautista was the glue the held the Knights together and his delivery to JP Alcaraz capped a 7-2 run that gave them the lead for good, 56-49, with 2:34 left to play.

“Talagang gusto namin manalo, hindi lang para sa school kundi pati na rin sa mga ga-graduate ko na teammates this year,” said Bautista, referring to Erick Rodriguez, Mark Andaya, Billy Ray Anabo and Alcaraz.

Alcaraz and Aaron Aban also finished with 13 pointsThe game, which was originally set 3 p.m., was delayed for several minutes after PCU team officials requested the transfer of some 100 Letran supporters occupying seats behind its bench in exchange of Dolphins fans seating on courtside.

But it didn’t deter the Knights’ hot start as they opened the first 10 minutes with a 7-0 run. They even led by 10 points (33-23) on a jumper by Erick Rodriguez with four minutes left in the second period.

Letran was ahead by nine, 38-29, at halftime.

The Scores:
Letran (62) – Aban 13, Bautista 13, Alcaraz 13, Rodriguez 9, Jazul 5, Aldave 4, Andaya 2, Pinera 2, Anabo 1.

PCU (54) – Espinas 15, Sanz 11, Retaga 7, Castro 5, Belga 4, Cecilia 4, Solis 4, Amparado 2, Santos 2, Salansang 0.

Quarter Scores: 23-18; 38-29; 43-41; 62-54.

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