Letran Knights outlast the San Sebastian Stags, 83-76, garnering their first win at the #NCAASeason94 men's basketball. (Photo by Angela Davocol/The LANCE) #StayInTheKnow
The Letran Knights barged their way into the win column after routing the San Sebastian Stags, 83-76, in the NCAA Season 94 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Letran struggled in the initial part of the game; the Intramuros based squad got their first lead off a Jason Celis three-pointer, 20-18, in the opening minutes of the second quarter. From there, veterans Bong Quinto and Jerrick Balanza fired from all-cylinders; scoring eight points apiece at the end of the half.
However, it was JP Calvo’s 11 second half points that gave Letran the lift. Calvo’s fast breakaway lay-up gave the Knights its biggest lead of the ball game with 16, 73-57, in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Stags though tried to mount a comeback; blasting a 19-0 ignited by RK Ilagan’s trey with 3:35 remaining in the game.
Letran head coach Jeff Napa bared that playing as a cohesive unit is what got them the victory.
“It’s a matter of ano lang ‘yan eh, how we execute in the end-game tapos how we play defense eh. Good thing ngayon, nag-stick kami ‘dun sa game plan naming at naglaro sila as a team, as a group. Kaya naging maganda ‘yung result nitong game na ‘to,” said Napa.
Quinto top scored the Knights with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Calvo added 16 points and three assists while Balanza fired 15 points for Letran.
Allyn Bulanadi led the Stags with 21 points while Ilagan chipped in 18 points and four assists.
The Knights will fight the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on July 27, at 12 p.m.
The scores:
CSJL (83) – Quinto 17, Calvo 16, Balanza 15, Muyang 8, Fajarito 7, Batiller 6, Ambohot 6, Agbong 3, Celis 3, Taladua 2, Balagasay 0, Mandreza 0, Yu 0
SSCR (76) – Bulanadi 21, Ilagan 18, Calisaan 11, Dela Cruz 9, Capobres 6, Valdes 6, Calma 2, Desoyo 2, Sumoda 1, Are 0, Baytan 0, Villapando 0
Quarterscores: 15-18, 39-34, 59-50, 83-76