Photo by Angelou Diño/ The LANCE.
The Letran Knights arrested a two-game losing skid in the NCAA Season 95 after flat-out dominating the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 88-64, Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Jerrick Balanza celebrated his birthday by showing the way for Letran in the wire-to-wire win with 26 points.
The Knights entered halftime with only a one-point lead, 21-20, before a big 27-point in the third quarter boosted them ahead, 73-49.
Balanza and Jeo Ambohot extended the Knights’ lead to as much as 28, 82-54, after unloading back to back threes with only eight minutes left.
From there, Letran cruised to a share of third in the standings with a 6-3 record.
Coach Bonnie Tan also expressed his joy towards ending the first round on a high.
“Aside from the win, mas masaya ako na nakuha na namin 'yong gusto naming laro,” said Tan.
Bonbon Batillier scored 10 markers and two assists while Tommy Olivario scored seven points and four assists.
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.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 46-35, 73-49, 88-64.