KNIGHTS BACK ON TOP
Games today (Filoil EcoOil Centre) 12 p.m. – SSC-R vs EAC 3 p.m. – AU vs CSB
Letran recovered its winning ways as it waylaid a Mapua team which played with nothing to lose, 74-58, yesterday in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Louie Sangalang pounded his way to a game-high 21 points to carry the Knights to their 13th win in 17 outings and back to the top after getting sideswiped by the San Beda Red Lions, their archrivals, 91-77, last Wednesday.
It also pushed the three-peat-seeking squad closer to the top two that would grant them a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
Letran plays Jose Rizal University in its final eliminationround assignment on Wednesday eyeing another win that would propel it closer to its bid for a third straight crown.
It was another triumph by the Knights over the Cardinals following a 67-62 decision in the first round last Sept. 28.
It was Letran’s fifth win over Mapua in 2022, including three straight in Season 97 early this year. Sangalang was at the center of it all. “I was just doing things to help my team win,” said Sangalang. Truly, Sangalang sparked the runs that helped Letran seize the lead and initiative early for a 22-18 opening-quarter edge before going on attack mode in the next canto when it outscored Mapua, 24-14, to hike its upperhand to 46-32 at the break.
Then the Knights’ defense and some relentless clutch shooting by Sangalang, Fran Yu and Kurt Reyson took over in the second half that proved enough to shackle the rallying Cardinals. Mapua fell to 6-11. In the other game, San Beda downed Jose Rizal U, 70-61, to stay in the race for the Final Four bonus with a 12-5 mark. The Bombers slipped to 6-11. The scores: First Game Letran 74 – Sangalang 21, Yu 10, Reyson 9, Caralipio 8, Javillonar 8, Ariar 6, Monje 4, Olivario 3, Guarino 3, Paraiso 2, Santos 0
Mapua 58 – Hernandez 13, Bonifacio 8, Pido 8, Nocum 6, Cuenco 5, Lacap 5, Soriano 4, Garcia 3, Salenga 3, Agustin 3, Mercado 0 Quarterscores: 22-18; 46-32; 60-53; 74-58 Second Game San Beda 70 – Cortez 15, Kwekuteye 12, Alfaro 11, Bahio 10, Andrada 7, Sanchez 6, Payosing 5, Cuntapay 2, Visser 2, Cometa 0, Jopia 0, Tagala 0
JRU 61 – Miranda 19, Medina 12, Dionisio 8, Delos Santos 6, Dela Rosa 6, Tan 6, Guiab 4, Sy 2, De Jesus 0, Arenal 0, Gonzales 0, Mercado 0
Quarterscores: 24-15; 40-36; 53-56; 70-61