Letran players celebrate. NCAA-GMA photo
Letran one win away
LETRAN moved on the cusp of completing a three-peat with a 81-75 win over College of Saint Benilde in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
King Caralipio and Kurt Reyson delivered key baskets to give the Knights a 75-69 advantage midway in the payoff period.
Down 69-76 after Louie Sangalang split his charities, the Blazers won’t just roll over and die, cutting down the deficit to three, 73-76, on a Miggy Corteza jumper with 3:20 remaining.
Benilde, however, could not get the catch the break down the stretch, as Macoy Marcos and JC Cullar bungled from downtown that would have trim down the deficit further and Letran went 5-of-6 from the stripe in the final 2:10 to seize Game 1.
The Knights shoot for their 20th championship in Game 2 at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Big Dome.
Letran hopes to duplicate the Samboy Lim-led team in 1982-84 where it completed a three-peat.
Sangalang produced a double-double outing of 24 points and 10 rebounds, Caralipio added 16 points, while Reyson contributed 13 points, boards and three assists for the Knights.
Will Gozum had 18 points and 11 rebounds while Corteza also scored 18 points for the Blazers, who made their first Finals appearance since 2002.
It was a testy championship opener, as Letran rookie Kobe Monje was ejected at the 7:37 mark of the second period after throwing an elbow at the back of Marcos’ head. Letran’s Rafael Go and Benilde’s JC Cullar were also assessed unsportsmanlike fouls in the game.
The Blazers took their first lead early in the second half, 55-52, on a Mark Sangco three-pointer and led by as much as seven points midway in the third period before the Knights stormed back and reclaimed the advantage at 66-65 on a Reyson basket.
The scores:
Letran (81) — Sangalang 24, Caralipio 16, Reyson 13, Paraiso 9, Yu 7, Javillonar 5, Olivario 4, Santos 2, Go 1, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Ariar 0.
Benilde (75) — Gozum 18, Corteza 18, Sangco 10, Nayve 9, Marcos 7, Pasturan 4, Oczon 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Lepalam 2, Flores 0, Sumabat 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 52-50, 66-67, 81-75.
