By: Jonash Dannug
Triumphant. Letran Knights outhustle Arellano Chiefs during the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup. (Photo by Angela Davocol/The LANCE)
After a heart-breaking loss last Friday against the College of St. Benilde, the Letran Knights was quick to shrug of the loss and trounced the Arellano University Chiefs, 71-63, to secure their place in the quarterfinals of the 12th Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup in San Juan.
The Chiefs fought a good fight, cutting the Knights’ lead to only three points coming into the final frame. However, Bong Quinto paid no heed to his sluggish first half, and dominated the fourth canto by pouring in 12 of his 16 second half points to help the Knights clinch their quarterfinals slot.
“Bong Quinto is struggling on defense and offense, so ayun atleast nakuha naming ‘yung rhythm naming uli,” head coach Jeff Napa said, noting Quinto’s poor first half performance that saw him score only two points.
Still, Napa lauded his wards for stepping-up their game when Quinto struggled.
“Lahat naman ‘yang nasa line-up na ‘yan I’m pretty sure na can contribute eh. It’s a matter lang talaga kung ano ‘yung approach, saka kung sino ‘yung makakalaban. Good thing ayan si Fajarito, si Balanza, consistent,”
Quinto paced the Knights with 18 points including seven turnovers. Jerrick Balanza and Christian Fajarito added 11 points respectively while JP Calvo fired 10 markers.
The Chiefs, which now bowed out of competition, was led by Ellie Ongolo Ongolo who played his best performance in the tournament and ended up with 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Letran will play the top seed in the group A for the quarterfinals match on June 28, Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The scores:
CSJL (71) – Quinto 18, Balanza 11, Fajarito 11, Calvo 10, Batiller 7, Muyang 6, Ambohot 4, Agbong 2, Balagasay 2, Yu 0, Taladua 0, Mandreza 0, Celis 0, Banes 0
AU (63) – Ongolo Ongolo 13, Concepcion 8, Canete 7, Meca 7, Dela Cruz 6, Abanes 5, Abdurasad 4, Alcoriza 4, Codinera 3, Chavez 2, Santos 2, Dumagan 2, Sera Josef 0, Bayla 0, Labarda 0
Quarterscores: 17-17, 31-31, 49-46, 71-63