The Letran Knights and San Beda Red Lions each take their one victory in a deciding Game 3 with the NCAA Season 91 championship at stake as they do battle on Thursday, October 29 at Mall of Asia Arena.
Letran is looking to win their first NCAA title in 10 years while San Beda is seeking a record-setting sixth straight championship. Follow the action with Rappler's live blog beginning at 4 pm.
NCAA SEASON 91 FINALS GAME 3
SAN BEDA VS LETRAN
EVENTS: Live Streaming & Full Game Replay
Where: Mall os ASIA Arena.
When: Friday October 29, 2015
STREAM & REPLAY: CLICK HERE
Mark Cruz was still nursing a sprained right thumb he injured in game one, but still top-scored for the Knights with 16 points, including 10 points in the final period. "Kailangan kong mag adjust, it's the finals. I need to work," he shrugged.
Ford Ruaya, Kevin Racal and Raymond Almazan all had a dozen markers each, with Racal and Almazan adding 10 and eight boards, respectively.
Letran head coach Caloy Garcia said his players' demeanor in approaching the game made a big difference, as the Knights played aggressively on both ends of the floor for all 40 minutes. After a fourth quarter collapse in the series opener, Garcia said his squad handled the pressure better this time around. "We were just lucky in the fourth quater na bumalik tad yung nangyari samin," he said. "Yung problema namin nung game one we were too tentative. Sabi ko sa kanila, "Pwede naman kayong mag-focus nang nakangiti."
He also praised his team's effort, especially during a crucial stretch in the third when Cruz had to be benched, owing to four personal fouls. On the other hand, he credited the win to limiting opposing center Ola Adeogun to just two field goals, which severely impacted San Beda. "They [San Beda] need Ola to win the game. Sa amin, when Mark stepped out, someone else stepped up," he said.