San Beda ousts Letran, arranges D-League finals meeting vs La Salle

Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University pulled off a 79-65 victory towards Wangs Basketball @27-Letran in Game 3 of their semifinals sequence on Thursday on the Pasig Sports Arena to punch a ticket to the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup finals.

The win allowed the Red Lions to arrange a championship assembly with a minimum of the defending champion EcoOil-La Salle, which swept University of Perpetual Help System DALTA within the semis.

It was San Beda all the best way, main by as a lot as 21 at one level within the payoff interval with James Payosing sinking the jumper to present the Mendiola crew a 76-55 cushion.

The Knights, who drew first blood within the sequence however misplaced in Game 2, responded with a 10-3 run to trim their deficit to simply 14, 79-65, courtesy of three straight free throws from group captain Kurt Reyson. 

But that proved to be the final comeback try from the Muralla-based squad as San Beda held on to seal the finals spot.

Payosing led with 23 factors, 9 rebounds, and two assists, whereas Damie Cuntapay and Yukien Andrada chipped in 11 and 10 markers apiece.

Letran, who earlier misplaced to Guang Ming College within the 2023 FilOil EcoOil play-in, was led by the backcourt duo of Reyson and Deo Cuajao who churned out 19 and 13 factors, respectively.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News