6 September 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Colegio de San Juan de Letran ended the first round on a high note after defeating College of St. Benilde, 88-64, Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at Cuneta Astrodome.
The Knights went for a 12-1 run from the get-go and never lost control in the game until the last minutes as they stretched the lead to 30, 82-52, thanks to back-to-back triples made by veterans Jeo Ambohot and Jerrick Balanza.
Benilde could only do so much as they bowed down to Letran, their third consecutive losses in the season after a very strong start.
“Aside from the win, gumanda yung ranking natin, pero mas masaya akong nalabas naming ‘yung laro naming hinahanap ko dati pa,” head coach Bonnie Tan said after the game as Letran ended the first round with a 6-3 slate.
Birthday celebrant Balanza surely celebrated right after the game, as he led Letran with 26 points in 8-of-13 shooting. Bonbon Batiller added 10 points.
On the other hand, Kendrix Belgica was the lone double-digit scorer for the Blazers with 12 points, with fellow stalwart Justin Gutang limited to only three points.
The Scores:
LETRAN 88 – Balanza 26, Batiller 10, Olivario 7, Muyang 7, Caralipio 6, Yu 6, Ular 6, Balagasay 6, Ambohot 5, Reyson 5, Mina 2, Sangalang 2, Javillonar 0, Guarino 0.
CSB 64 – Belgica 12, Haruna 8, Naboa 7, Flores 7, Carlos 7, Nayve 6, Sangco 5, Lepalam 5, Gutang 3, Young 3, Leutcheu 1, Dixon 1, Velasco 0, Mosqueda 0.
QUARTER SCORES: 25-15, 46-35, 73-49, 88-64.
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