Knights outplay Stags
DEFENDING two-time champion Letran overcame another slow start to repulse San Sebastian, 69-50, and extend its winning run to six games in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Fran Yu capped a scintillating fourth quarter with a three-pointer at the 2:56 mark that sparked the Knights’ 7-0 run to put the game to bed at 66-48.
Letran became the first team to reach nine wins, moving in a virtual tie with College of Saint Benilde (8-2) for the lead.
Yu dropped 11 of his 19 points in the final period, to go along with five rebounds and two steals while Brent Paraiso chipped in 13 points, four boards and three assists for the Knights.
The Stags, meanwhile, remained at the lower half of the standings with their ninth loss in 12 games.
No San Sebastian logged twin digits scoring, with Ken Villapando and rookie Rhinwill Yambing registering eight points apiece.
Trailing 12-15 after the opening period, Letran, behind Paraiso, Mark Sangalang and Tommy Olivario, exploded for 22 points in the second period to erect a 34-28 lead at the break.
Ahead by nine after three quarters, Yu scored five straight points in the first two minutes of the payoff period for the Knights to built a 54-40 advantage.
The scores:
Letran (69) — Yu 19, Paraiso 13, Sangalang 8, Reyson 8, Javillonar 7, Caralipio 6, Olivario 5, Guarino 2, Bojorcelo 1, Go 0, Santos 0, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Miclat 0, Ariar 0.
SSC-R (50) — Villapando 8, Yambing 8, Are 6, Altamirano 6, Shanoda 5, Sumoda 4, Escobido 4, Aguilar 4, Una 2, Felebrico 2, Cosari 1, Suico 0, Paglinawan 0, Desoyo 0.
Quarterscores: 12-15, 34-28, 49-40, 69-50.
