The Letran Knights marginally outgame the San Beda Red Lions with a 1 point lead in its debut game at the 2023 Asiabasket Las Pinas Championships. Photo courtesy of Angela Davocol of Filbasket.
Letran Knights edged rival San Beda Red Lions, 85-84, in their debut game in the 2023 Bola.TV Asiabasket Las Pinas Championship yesterday at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas City.
Both squads have had a long-standing rivalry and it was evident in yesterday’s affair as neither team wanted to surrender without a fight.
Kurt Reyson’s late game heroics yet again came in clutch as he poured in 11 of his 19 points in the most crucial moments of the contest to snatch the victory for the Knights.
The playmaker also dishes out eight boards and eight assists while Pao Javillonar added 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Coach Rensy Bajar’s squad struggled to contain the blazing offense from San Beda’s Ronrei Tolentino, RC Calimag and Bryan Sajonia, as they entered the fourth trailing by ten, 58-68.
The game was ultimately decided by Reyson’s late game heroics as he poured in basket after basket for his team, icing the game with two free throws that led to their first win of the league.
San Beda’s Sajonia led all scorers with 25 markers on top of two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Tolentino and Calimag both finished with 17 apiece.
The Knights look ahead to their next game against Pilipinas Aguilas on Sunday at 1:00 PM in Villar Coliseum, Las Pinas City as they try to continue their winning ways in the tournament.
The scores:
LETRAN 85 – Reyson 19, Javillonar 14, Ariar 13, Galvez 8, Fajardo 6, Monje 6, Nunag 6, Tolentino 4, Santos 4, Jumao-As 4, Guarino 1, Go 0.
SAN BEDA 84 – Sajonia 25, Tolentino 17, RC Calimag 14, Alloso 11, Ri. Calimag 7, Lina 4, Lopez 3, Songcuya 2, Lecciones 1, Etulle 0, Dimaculangan 0, Peregrina 0.