Knights, Stags forge battle for PCCL Luzon title

THE San Sebastian Stags and the Letran Knights forged an all-NCAA battle for the Luzon crown as they defeated their respective rivals yesterday in the 2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags outlasted the gritty Adamson Falcons in overtime, 85-83, while the Knights, who played without star player Kevin Alas, defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 73-64.

The two teams will dispute the Luzon title and the right to advance to the Final Four next week in Ormoc.

San Sebastian was ahead, 74-68, with 17 seconds left in regulation when disaster struck. Jerick Canada hit a three-pointer to slice the deficit in half and then, the Falcons forced a turnover. On their next play, Roider Cabrera hit a three-pointer from the baseline to tie the game. Ian Sangalang had a shot to win the game for San Sebastian but his lay-up missed as time expired.

The Stags though, recovered and scored the first seven points in overtime to snatch the victory.

Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) champion, University of Cebu will be taking on the Mindanao qualifier while runner-up Southwestern University will face the Visayas qualifier on Nov. 29 at the Ormoc Superdome.

The winners of those match-ups will face one another for the Southern Islands crown on the 30th. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio