INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Colegio San Juan de Letran coasted to an 83-69 victory over Jose Rizal University Saturday to join San Beda College in the early lead in Season 84 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Center Dennis Daa scored 20 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, while role players John Melegrito and Raymar Gutilban chipped in 14 and 13, respectively for the Knights, who broke away in the fourth period after a tentative start.

In a rematch of their Final Four showdown which Letran won last year, the Knights also drew solid numbers from veteran guard RJ Jazul, who finished with 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.

James Sena and Mark Cagoco led the Bombers with 20 and 9 points, respectively.

In the first game, San Beda downed Mapua, 85-56, with Nigerian center Sam Ekwe leading the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Scores:

LETRAN 83 -- Daa 20, Gutilban 14, Jazul 13, Melegrito 12, Cabonce 7, Foronda 7, Dangcal 3, Belencion 3, Ranises 2, Guevarra 2, Latonio 0, Cortez 0

JRU 69 -- Sena 19, Cagoco 9, Nocom 7, Kabigting 6, Hayes 6, Agas 6, Lopez 6, Bulangis 4, Wilson 4, Apinan 2, Pradas 0, Njei 0, Matute 0, Almario

Quarters: 15-11, 33-26, 57-48, 83-69