Reyson’s heroics save day for Letran.
Photo courtesy of FilBasket
Letran, Ateneo in fiery starts
NCAA champion Letran College lived up to its high billing by beating perennial rival San Beda, 85-84, at the start of the 2023 Bola.TV AsiaBasket Las Piñas Championship at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas.
Kurt Reyson played the hero’s role as the Knights battled back from 10 points down in the final five minutes to roll back the Red Lions in the mainer of the blockbuster four-game opening-day schedule.
Reyson finished with a game-high 19 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and one steal for the Knights.
Pao Javillonar added 14 points, eight rebounds, one block, and two steals.
Reyson’s heroics included back-to-back triples that sparked the Knights’ comeback against the Red Lions.
He also made two pressure-packed free throws with 44.3 seconds left to give Letran an 85-84 lead over San Beda.
The Red Lions still had a chance to win, but RC Calimag’s first layup attempt was blocked by Javillonar.
Calimag recovered the ball while falling down and found Ronrei Tolentino open, but Tolentino blew his own layup as time ran out.
Bryan Sajonia led San Beda with 25 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Tolentino added 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
In other opening-day matches, it was Ateneo over Uratex, 96-63; Far Eastern University over Sanzar Pharmaceuticals, 81-75; and Corsa Tires over College of St. Benilde, 89-78.
Kai Ballungay finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, while Mason Amos added 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal for Ateneo, which dominated the game from start to finish.
Jason Credo and Joseph Obasa each tallied 11 markers with Obasa also grabbing 11 boards for his own double-double.
Mike Harry Nzeusseu had 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, and Bam-Bam Gamalinda had 16 points and five rebounds for Uratex.
Xyrus Torres and Cholo Anonuevo were the top scorers for FEU.
Torres finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Alforque added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Also contributing to FEU’s cause were Patrick Sleat, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and one steal, and Cholo Anonuevo, who had 11 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.
Adeshokan Odou made his presence felt for Sanzar with a monster game of 28 points and 24 rebounds.
Fellow world import Salomon Kone added 16 points, 20 rebounds and two assists.
