Knights crush Altas, gain bonus with Lions

GAMES TOMORROW

(Filoil Flying V Arena)

4 p.m.—Jose Rizal vs Lyceum

6 p.m.—San Sebastian vs Letran

Letran nailed a twice-to-beat bonus along with San Beda after the Knights overwhelmed the Perpetual Help Altas, 74-61, yesterday in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Kevin Racal, a dependable rebounder and certified workhorse in defense, presided over an 18-0 scoring binge in the second period as the Knights pulled away early and never looked back to tie the idle Red Lions for top spot at 13-3.

Though assured of a Final Four stint, the Altas blew their chance to tie the co-leaders as they dropped to 11-6.

Racal had 12 of his 18 points in that decisive Letran run in the second quarter and also finished with seven rebounds and five assists as the Altas missed forward Nosa Omorogbe and Juneric Baloria struggled from the field.

Omorogbe hurt his left knee in a losing effort against Lyceum over a week ago while Baloria missed his first seven shots before finally coming through late in the second half.

The scores

LETRAN 74—Racal 18, Cruz 11, Almazan 11, Ruaya 10, Nambatac 10, Tambeling 7, Belorio 3, Publico 2, Luib 1, Gabawan 1, Castro 0, Buenaflor 0.

PERPETUAL 61—Arboleda 21, Baloria 15, Alano 11, Oliveria 4, Elopre 4, Thompson 2, Omorogbe 2, Dizon 0, Ylagan 0, Bantayan 0, Lucente 0, Bitoy 0.

Quarters: 19-20, 42-29, 61-44, 74-61