Knights ruin Stags win streak

MANILA, Philippines - Letran took its role as spoiler to an unbeaten San Sebastian College to heart, ending the Stags’ 15-game streak with a pulsating 82-81 overtime victory yesterday in the 87th NCAA seniors basketball tourney at The Arena in San Juan.

Kevin Alas drilled in the marginal triple with 22.9 seconds left as the Knights ripped the Stags’ veil of invincibility this year, repeating their exploits on Sept. 29, 2009 when they handed the then surging Stags their first setback (80-63) after a 15-0 start.

“They said history repeated itself, so thanks to history,” said Letran coach Louie Alas, whose wards (13-3) set the stage for a Final Four with San Sebastian’s failure to sweep the elims.

The third-running Knights are one game behind No. 2 San Beda, which picked up its 14th win in 16 outings earlier with a 101-67 rout of Lyceum.

After missing his previous shots, the younger Alas found wide room to shoot against the sagging defense of Ronald Pascual, making the long heave to give Letran an 82-81 cushion.

“I was looking at my dad to ask him if I would take the shot but he wasn’t looking at me, letting me decide by myself. Luckily my shot went in,” said Kevin Alas, who finished with 22 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Calvin Abueva flubbed the potential go-ahead for SSC and Letran controlled the ensuing loose ball, triggering a wide celebration for the Knights.

“We experimented a bit on defense and played loose defense. My instruction to them was just to stay in front of your man,” said Alas, who drew inspiration from the Boston Celtics in rising above adversity. “I challenged them to show their character after our humiliating loss to Perpetual (53-68 last Monday).”

Ronald Pascual fired 25, including seven straight points in the last 1:50 of regulation that knotted the count and another five more in extension to give SSC an 81-79 lead with 1:09 left.

San Beda warmed up for its upcoming showdown with Letran and San Sebastian by whipping Lyceum by 34 points for its 14th win. The Pirates dropped to 6-10 but remain hopeful of a semis stint, just one game behind fourth-running Jose Rizal (7-9).

“Big game for us, this will give us the confidence going to the Letran and San Sebastian games,” said SBC coach Frankie Lim of their last two elims assignments.

“I told them in the pre-game that we’ll use this game to build up our confidence so I played everybody. I hope we do well against Letran and Baste,” he added.

Kyle Pascual had a double-double of 18 points and 12 boards while Melo Lim chipped in 14 and Garvo Lanete and Rome dela Rosa had 12 apiece as SBC got scoring from all 13 players.

American slotman Sudan Daniel, on the sidelines since suffering an ACL injury during the summer, came in uniform and appeared about to check in with 49.9 seconds left in the third and the Lions ahead, 69-46.

“No, no, we were just talking that time,” Lim said in jest. “But he’s going to get ready. Hopefully, he can join us this October. But of course, we won’t force it. If he’s not yet ready, there’s no need (to let him play).”