By: Aishah Jimenez
The Letran Knights put up a strong fight but were ultimately defeated by the LPU Pirates. Photo Courtesy: Allen Matthew Velasquez.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran was overwhelmed by the Lyceum of the Philippines University, 68-91, in the second-round opener of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Deo Cuajao steered the Knights with 16 points while Jimboy Estrada churned out 11 markers, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Pao Javillonar, meanwhile, produced 10 markers and four boards.
The Knights saw themselves stretching the gap from the opening tip, with Kobe Monje striking consecutive threes, and Kevin Santos banging out four markers and a block against LPU’s Genesis Aviles to fill a 10-0 run. The determined Pirates, however, prompted the former to lose possessions and converted those chances into successful jumpers and layups, and a long shot from Gyle Montaño, which nearly closed the gap, and eventually contributed to the 21-all score at the end of the first.
Both squads exchanged baskets until Joseph Nunag’s drive got through against Lyceum’s Aviles’ rim protection, which returned the lead to the Knights, 29-27. But, the latter’s John Barba, John Bravo, and Renz Villegas flaunted their scoring prowess, posting nine markers apiece in the half to create a six-point cushion.
Coming from halftime, Cuajao attempted to erase the gap by firing two triples, but the LPU’s gunners all waxed hot, as the latter’s Villegas and Montaño made their presence felt by their combined 15 points in the third frame, beside the team’s top players, pushing the Knights to suffer from 70-61 deficit.
Letran, due to its ceaseless turnovers and failed shot attempts, was outscored by the Pirates in the fourth, 21-7 to complete the rout.
LPU’s Villegas finished with 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Barba came with a near-triple double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Montaño, on the other hand, carried 16 markers.
In a post-game interview with GMA, Letran’s chief tactician, Allen Ricardo, grumbled about the team's lack of coordination and effort in today’s bout.
"Walang effort, walang energy, nagkanya-kanya," said Ricardo
As Letran was not able to complete the elimination sweep against its fellow Muralla crew, they slipped into 6-4, while the LPU improved to 5-5.
The Letran Knights look to bounce back in their match against the Perpetual Altas, on Sunday at 12:00 NN at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
QUARTER SCORES: 21-21, 43-49, 60-70, 68-91
LETRAN 68 – Cuajao 16, Estrada, 11, Javillonar 10, Miller 9, Monje 9, Santos 8, Delfino 2, Nunag 2, Montecillo 1, Baliling 0, Pradella 0.
LYCEUM 91 – Villegas 23, Barba 19, Montano 16, Bravo 10, Versoza 7, Aviles 5, Cunanan 4, Penafiel 4, Daileg 3, Gordon 0, Moralejo 0, Pallingayan 0, Panelo 0, Paulo 0.