The Letran Knights finally clinched their first win of the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball against the SSC-R Stags. Photo courtesy of Patrick Louie Cruz of The LANCE.
With the most unfortunate circumstance comes the sweetest of victories.
Letran Knights turned back the clock against the San Sebastian Golden Stags, 86-71, to clinch their first victory in NCAA Season 99 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan earlier today.
Backed by efficient offensive performances, shooting-wise from Deo Cuajao, Neil Guarino, and Kobe Monje who had 14, 13, and 13 respectively the Knights carved out a much needed win sans team captain Kurt Reyson currently sidelined by a groin injury.
Letran’s wish to capture the elusive mark in the win column was not denied as the Knights weathered the storm and stomped the gold-laced San Sebastian, 86-71.
San Sebastian got off to an early seven point lead, 3-11, at the start of the contest which forced a timeout by Letran head coach Rensy Bajar in an effort to regroup the squad.
This stoppage of play helped the Knights come back and retake the lead as they held the Stags to only five points for the rest of the opening quarter, 20-16.
The Muralla-based squad carried this momentum into the following quarter with a barrage of buckets from rainbow country and timely defensive stops to widen the margin even further, nearly doubling SSC-R’s score, 44-24.
It seemed as if the Knights would cruise to the dub but the Stags ceased to go down without a fight after the half, they employed a full-court press which worked wonders for them forcing turnover after turnover from the red and blue.
With the lead down to as close as five, Guarino dropped back-to-back treys, alleviating a blunderous third calvo capped off by a shot from way beyond the halfcourt line by Enrico Bojorcelo, 67-50.
Rafael Are’s game high 20 markers and Romel Calahat’s double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds were to no avail as the Stags failed to complete the comeback.
Letran looks to continue its winning ways as they face a familiar face on Sunday, October 22 in their finals rematch against College of Saint Benilde Blazers at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores:
Quarter scores: 20-16, 44-24, 67-50, 86-71.
LETRAN (86)-- Cuajao 14, Guarino 13, Monje 13, Fajardo 9, Ariar 8, Bojorcelo 8, Santos 7, Go 5, Nunag 4, Bautista 3, Javillonar 2, Garupil 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN (71)-- Are 20, Calahat 14, Escobido 12, Gabat 8, Una 7, Sumoda 6, Shanoda 2, Desoyo 2, De Leon 0, Gabat 0, Felebrico 0, Singson 0.