DEFENDING champion Letran’s championship savvy proved to be handy against hard-fighting Perpetual Help yesterday.
Showing poise fit for a reigning titlist down the stretch, the Knights eked out a heart-stopping 77-75 decision over the Altas in their Final Four duel to advance to the finals of the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Ace playmaker Fran Yu canned a pressure-packed free throw that gave Letran a 77-75 cushion with 7.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jielo Razon missed what could have been a game-winning three-pointer for Perpetual in the ensuing play as the Knights reached the Big Dance for the second straight season.
Rhenz Abando tied his career-high of 24 points, on top of three rebounds, and two assists for Letran, while Jeo Ambohot chipped in 14 markers and 14 boards.
Yu also had 13 and five for the No. 1 Knights, who scored a big follow-up to their 59-56 victory over San Beda University in their last game of the elimination last April 29.
Perpetual came off a 74-64 triumph over College of St. Benilde in their knockout play-in tiff five days ago.
In the other game, third seed San Beda University outlasted No. 2 Mapua University 73-67 in overtime to stay alive.
James Kwekuteye led the Red Lions with 17 points and four assists, while Jacob Cortez had 13 markers and four caroms.
Ralph Penuela also added 13 and two as San Beda negated the Cardinals’ twice-to-beat advantage and forged a do-or-die game for the last finals slot at the same venue.
The Cardinals came off a 75-65 victory over Lyceum in their last elims outing last April 27.
Game 1 of the best-of-three finals will be on Sunday, also at the San Juan-based arena.
