ANTIPOLO CITY — Third time’s the charm for Letran College as it whipped College of Saint Benilde, 81-67, for the Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball title Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Despite the absence of team captain Fran Yu due to a one-game suspension, Letran secured its third straight NCAA title, a feat last pulled off by the legendary Samboy Lim in 1984.
Coincidentally, this was also Letran head coach Bonnie Tan’s third NCAA title since taking the job in 2019.
The Knights showed its championship pedigree in getting the job done in Game 3 by racing to a 51-28 lead after a 24-21 lead in the first quarter when Louie Sangalang sank a jumper.
Finals MVP King Caralipio led the Letran charge with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds apart from two assists while Brent Paraiso backed him up with 16 markers as they capped their final year with the Intramuros-based team with aplomb.
“I couldn’t express how I’m feeling today. All the sacrifices were worth it,” Caralipio said.
“This is for you, Letran community. This victory is yours!”
The Knights’ defense of the NCAA crown wasn’t a walk in the park.
Season 97 top rookie Rhenz Abando would have made life easier if he opted to stay instead of hooking up with Anyang KGC in the Korean Basketball League last July.
Despite getting their unbeaten streak getting snapped in the first half and being swept by San Beda University, the Knights were able to secure the second seed after finishing the tournament with a 13-5 win-loss record.
From there, Letran then dumped Lyceum of the Philippines University, 67-58, to secure a third straight trip to the finals.
Miggy Corteza dropped 14 points as the Blazers’ championship drought — stretching back to the year 2000 — continues.
It was a sweet victory for Letran, which expressed concern when the league decided to suspend Yu in Game 3 for a disqualifying foul in Game 2.
Saing Benilde missed the offensive muscle of Will Gozum, who was held to just ten points owing to foul trouble.
In the runup to the finals, Letran won over Saint Benilde twice in the elimination round.
