MANILA—Letran, drawing strength from its big men, repulsed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 76-67, Friday for its sixth victory in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
With their top scorer struggling, the Knights relied on the frontline trio of Jam Cortes, Raymund Almazan and Jonathan Belorio to move up to 6-2 and solidify its hold of third spot.
“Our big men struggled against San Beda and San Sebastian so this time we challenged them to dominate,” said Alas, whose squad is off to its best eight-game start since 2009 when it had a 5-3 record.
In the second game, Arellano ended a five-game losing skid, leaning on Andrian Celada’s all-around effort to hold off St. Benilde, 64-60.
The veteran swingman, struggling in the past three games, came alive with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals to lead the Chiefs, who notched their second win in eight games to move out of the cellar.
Celada made two cushion free throws with 11 seconds remaining for the final count, after the Blazers mounted a comeback that erased Arellano’s 14-point advantage in the second period.
Playing his final season for the Knights, Cortes responded with a solid effort of 18 points and 20 rebounds in 32 minutes, while Almazan scattered 15 points, grabbed 14 boards and posted a a season-high six blocks.
Belorio contributed 10 points and four boards as he also stepped up with Kevin Alas’ groping for form with just seven points. In a rugged encounter, Letran saw two players—Kevin Racal and Mark Cruz—prematurely leave the court in the second half after suffering hard falls.
There was no fourth-quarter letdown this time for the Knights, who blew a 14-point lead in the last 10 minutes before surviving Lyceum in overtime last week.
But Alas, known for plotting stifling defensive schemes, still wants a more resolute defensive stand from his team.
“We still need to improve our defense and the score proved likewise,” said Alas. “We can’t afford to relax since were not as talented as San Beda or San Sebastian.”
Guard Joshua Torralba scored 18 points, while Jolas Paguia chipped in 16 for the Generals, who fell to 3-5, just like the Blazers.
In juniors play, Letran jacked up its record to 6-2 with a 77-54 drubbing of EAC, while Arellano improved to 3-5 after stunning St. Benilde-La Salle Green Hills, 64-61.
The scores:
First Game
LETRAN 76—Cortes 18, Almazan 15, Belorio 10, Dysam 9, Cruz 9, Alas K. 7, Racal 3, Alas J. 3, Mendoza 2, Espiritu 1.
EAC 67—Torralba 18, Paguia 16, Jamon 11, Chiong 6, King 6, Cubo 4, Vargas 4, Sanchez 2, Yaya 0, Morada 0, Diolanto 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 39-35, 61-52, 76-67
Second Game
ARELLANO 64—Celada 15, Acidre 12, Lapuz 11, Caperal 9, Doligon 9, Zulueta 4, Pagayunan 4, Palma 0, Gumaru 0.
ST. BENILDE 60—Taha 21, Grey 11, Romero 7, Altamirano 6, Lastimosa 4, McCoy 4, Dela Paz 3, Sinco 2, Dela Paz 2.
Quarters: 17-9, 32-25, 49-44, 64-60