Letran, CEU triumph in D-League opener

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 10:30 a.m. – Builders Warehouse-UST vs EcoOil-La Salle 12:30 p.m. – Marinerong Pilipino vs Apex Fuel-San Sebastian

Wangs Basketball @26-Letran and Centro Escolar University upended their respective counterparts for an early share of the lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

The Knights, the back-to-back champions in the NCAA, fended off a late uprising by the Adalem Construction-St. Clare Saints for a 94-87 win while the Scorpions clobbered AMA Online, 101-82.

Louie Sangalang collected 21 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks to lead the way for the Knights, who took care of business even without ace cagers Rhenz Abando and Fran Yu.

Sans Abando, who’s attending his Gilas Pilipinas duty, and Yu, who’s under the weather, King Caralipio (12), Brent Paraiso (12) and Tommy Olivario (12) stepped up, complementing Sangalang’s effort in the Letran win.

“Yung championship composure, ‘yun yung need naming ilabas sa ganitong klaseng game. ‘Yun lang ang napag-usapan ng team, na let’s be composed,” said coach Bonnie Tan as Letran nearly bungled a 23-point lead.

Meanwhile, Jerome Santos sizzled with 36 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals while Anjord Cabotaje added 11 in CEU’s first win under new mentor Chico Manabat.

“May players na di pa kami nagamit kasi injured. Sinuwerte lang kami sa bandang huli,” said Manabat, who took over from now NU mentor Jeff Napa. The scores: First Game Wangs-Letran 94 – Sangalang 21, Monje 17, Olivario 12, Paraiso 12, Caralipio 12, Javillonar 6, Tolentino 6, Guarino 6, Bataller 2, Lantaya 0.

Adalem-St. Clare 87 – Rojas 25, Estrada 22, Sumagaysay 19, Sablan 7, Tapenio 5, Estacio 5, Gambo 4, Lopez 0, Acosta 0. Quarterscores: 29-20, 51-38, 72-65, 94-87 Second Game CEU 101 – Santos 36, Cabotaje 11, Diaz 9, Bernabe 9, Ferrer 9, Tolentino 8, Ancheta 7, Santiago 6, Reyes 2, Borromeo 2, Enrile 2, Malicana 0, Atienza 0, Samaniego 0.

AMA 82 – Arpia 24, Palana 12, Alina 12, Cruz 10, Baclig 6, Villamor 6, Soriano 4, Romero 3, Pangilinan 2, Cruz 2, Ceniza 1, Fuentes 0, Temporasa 0, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 22-14, 48-41, 71-61, 101-82