By: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
The Letran Knights overpowered the LPU Pirates in their second match of the FilOil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup on May 26 at the Playtime FilOil Centre. Photo Courtesy: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights demolished the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 89-69, in their second match in the FilOil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup held on May 26, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Aaron Buensalida powered the Knights from the paint with 16 markers, nine boards, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Syrex Silorio and Jimboy Estrada churned 12 points apiece.
Estrada showed glimpses of his stellar NCAA season 100 performance after erupting in the third—scoring all of his points in this frame. The dynamic guard aided Letran in inflating the margin to a 30-point gap.
Letran raised the momentum early on, gaining a 10-0 advantage in the first five minutes of the game. Simon Peñiafiel, on the other hand, scored the Pirates’ first points and was followed by Christian Daileg’s trey and putback two.
Building on a great opening performance, Kevin Santos got activated by Coach Allen Ricardo in the second only to convert an elbow jumper and push shot in the middle of the paint. This last minute effort turned into a 42-32 halftime score in favor of the white shirts.
It was in the third quarter where the Knights caught fire from deep, hitting four straight threes courtesy of Silorio, Ryle Rosilio, Elijah Yusi, and Jonathan Manalili. Buensalida and Sonny Estil then added fuel to the flame by picking up transition field goals off the Pirates’ turnover.
This 16-0 run had LPU searching for answers but it was JM Bravo who ended the drought with a quick five points from an aggressive drive and a three from the wing.
Despite scoring as much as Letran in the final canto, LPU just couldn’t erase the huge score differential in the match, eventually falling behind by 20 points, 89-69.
The Pirates offense was built by the outputs of Peñafiel, who had 13 points with three assists and three steals and John Versoza who added 10 markers. Their seasoned cagers, Bravo and Renz Villegas, poured in nine and eight, respectively.
Now with two straight victories, Letran will continue to pick up their rhythm in this preseason journey as they face the NCAA defending champions Mapua University Cardinals on June 2, 2:00 PM, at the same venue.
QUARTER SCORES: 18-12, 42-32, 64-47, 89-69
CSJL (89) - Buensalida 16, Estrada 12, Silorio 12, Rosilio 10, Estil 8, Omega 8, Santos 8, Manalili 6, Yusi 5, Tapenio 2, Roque 2, Baliling 0, Cuajao 0, Muyuela 0, Yong 0.
LPU (69) - Peñafiel 13, Versoza 10, Bravo 9, Moralejo 9, Villegas 8, Daileg 7, Barba 6, Casiño 4, Caduyac 3, Aurigue 0, Fuentes 0, Matienzo 0, Panelo 0, Reyes 0.