Alfaro, Cortez show way as San Beda forces do-or-die in D-League semis vs Letran

Peter Alfaro and Jacob Cortez led the way as Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University made sure not to waste a huge lead this time around en route to a 74-51 win against Wang's Basketball @27-Letran in Game 2 of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup semifinals on Tuesday.

With the victory, San Beda dragged Letran to a do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday, with the winner claiming the right to face EcoOil-La Salle in the championship round.

The Knights had some momentum heading into the fourth, riding on a 6-0 run led by team captain Kurt Reyson. But the Red Lions leaned on their veteran guard Alfaro, who fired a triple for a 56-42 lead after he was assessed a flagrant foul late in the third.

Cortez added his own three-pointer that sent San Beda to a 61-43 spread before Alfaro drove for a layup to make it a 70-47 cushion with 3:22 left, all but sealing it for San Beda as they forced a rubber match.

It was a laser-focused San Beda squad determined not to commit the same mistake it made in Game 1, where the Mendiola crew led by as many as 24 points only to see the Knights erase it before the latter outlasted them in overtime.

Alfaro shone with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Cortez chimed in with 11 markers, nine boards, four dimes, and two steals. James Payosing and Clifford Jopia also made their presence felt with 12 and 11 points apiece.

Letran was led by Reyson, who was limited to eight points following a 32-point outburst in the previous game.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News