Elyzer Paguia of Emilio Aguinaldo College (left) tries to block the ball that Letran’s Raymond Almazan is about to shoot during the NCAA game at The Arena in San Juan. Letran handily won the game, 80-58. INQUIRER PHOTO/Raffy Lerma
MANILA, Philippines—Letran hardly missed the services of Jam Cortes as it ran roughshod over a listless Emilio Aguinaldo College, 80-58, Wednesday in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Making the necessary adjustments, the Knights pulled away from a 35-all count as they outscored the Generals, 40-23, in the second half.
“It just so happened that we were able to adjust defensively,” said Letran coach Louie Alas, whose squad upped its record to 12-2.
“We were able to contain their (the Generals’) key players,” Alas added.
Cortes, one of Letran’s defensive anchors, served a one-game suspension for accumulated flagrant fouls.
But with much-improved Raymond Almazan and reliable big man Junjun Alas in the fold, the Knights had little problem with their inside production.
Almazan notched another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while Alas added 12 points off the bench.
“Before the game, I told my bigs that we’d lose 10 points and 12 rebounds [without Cortes],” Alas said. “So they really had to step up.”
Kevin Alas led the way for Letran with another all-around game as he finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Letran’s aggressive was also eminent in the game as the Knights were rewarded with 45 free-throw attempts.
However, Letran failed to capitalize it only converted 22 points and shot a woeful 49 percent from the stripe.
“Sobrang sama ng free throw shooting namin,” concerned Alas.
Remy Morada paced EAC with 15 points.
The Generals’ flat-lining bid toward a Final Four appearance took another hit as they dropped to 4-11.