The San Sebastian Stags and the Letran Knights lay it all on the line today for the right to advance to the finals of the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City.
With star guard Kevin Louie Alas firing on all cylinders and finishing with a career-high 43 points, the Knights were able to nullify the Stags’ twice-to-beat advantage with a 92-74 win in the Final Four last Saturday, thus forcing the winner-take-all game this afternoon.
The winner advances to the best-of-three championship series against the San Beda Red Lions.
The defending champions Red Lions defeated the Perpetual Help Altas, 56-52, in the other semifinals pairing to make it to the finals for the seventh straight year.
Alas was the man of the hour for the Knights, who defeated the Stags three times this season. He was the first player to break the 40-point barrier since former Jose Rizal University star John Wilson scored 48 points way back in 2009. Alas also broke his personal best of 35 points set this year against St. Benilde.
Known more for his slashing abilities, the 20-year old gunner silenced his doubters by making 10 three-point bombs./Correspondent Jonas Panerio