Alas, Belorio, Cruz lead hard-fighting Letran to huge Game 2 victory in NCAA Finals

The Letran Knights lived to see their hopes for a championship come alive as they outlasted the San Beda Red Lions, 64-55,  last night in  Game Two of the best-of-three Finals in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament  at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Kevin Alas got plenty of help down the stretch from  Jonathan Belorio and Mark Cruz, who made timely buckets that sealed the win for the Knights and force a winner-take-all Game Three on Thursday at the same venue.

The victory was actually Letran’s first against San Beda in 16 games dating back to 2007.

Belorio stepped up with a double-double performance of 15 points and 10 rebounds. More importantly, he made two three pointers in the fourth canto including the go-ahead trey that put Letran in front for good with seven minutes left in the match.

Letran appeared determined in the first half and zoomed off to a 37-28 lead anchored on the surprise nine-point contribution of reserve guard Carlo Lituania.

San Beda buckled down in the second half and rode baskets by Ola Adeogun that tied the game at 41-apiece. Baser Amer then hit two freebies at the end of that stretch that put them on top, 43-41, heading to the payoff period.

The Knights did not crumble and fired back with nine straight points that was sparked by a three by Belorio. Alas added a three-point play while Cruz swished a trey from the corner that gave them a 57-50 advantage.

Meanwhile, San Sebastian’s Ian Sangalang was named as the league’s MVP in the awarding ceremonies before the game.