Letran Knights clinch the twice-to-beat bonus in the NCAA Final Four. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Letran showed up anticipating a rough path to the Final Four but Perpetual Help simply wasn’t there for the challenge.
Firing on all cylinders, the Knights thrashed the Altas, 93-64, to gain the twice-to-beat bonus in the semifinals of the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament Friday at The Arena in San Juan.
Just about every opportunity that the Altas could get their hands on in the early going turned bad as the Knights charged ahead to a 16-1 lead, surged to 24 points at halftime and sustained the momentum to the finish.
Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal blew by their rivals in the open court and connected at different spots during the ferocious Letran run.
It readily filled the void left by Rey Nambatac, who hit the deck hard on a break and had to be carried on a stretcher.
Yet, it was the smothering defense on wingman Scottie Thompson that proved vital.
Far from his usual lethal self, the reigning MVP only had seven points on 2 of 11 shooting as the Altas championship hopes ended in tatters after they missed the Final Four for the first time in three seasons.
“We’re so upset in the game against San Beda. We just poured all of those frustrations in this match,’’ said Letran coach Aldin Ayo.
The Knights, who got clobbered by the Lions last time out, will join San Beda in the top two spots armed with the twice-to-beat edge. Both teams face each other Tuesday to determine the No.1 seeding going into the next phase.
Earlier, Paolo Pontejos scattered 12 of his game-high 23 points in the second quarter as Jose Rizal University swamped San Sebastian College, 91-69, to advance into the Final Four and end the double-round eliminations on a six-game win streak.
The Heavy Bombers secured the No. 3 spot due to a better quotient despite finishing identical 12-6 win-loss records with the Arellano Chiefs and Mapua Cardinals, who will figure in a make-or-break clash for the fourth and last semifinal berth Tuesday.
Playing against the worst team in the league, Mapua earlier suffered agonizing moments before dumping Emilio Aguinaldo College, 88-63, to secure the Allwell Oraeme had an inspiring all-around performance for the Cardinals with 16 points and 15 rebounds on top of four blocks, three assists and three steals.
The Scores:
First game
JRU 91—Pontejos 23, Estrella 11, Balagtas 8, Lasquety 6, Cruz 6, Teodoro 6, Gorospe 6, Sanchez 5, Poutouochi 5, Abdul Wahab 4, Dela Paz 3, Dela Virgen 3, David 3, Astilla 2, Aurin 0.
SSC 69—Guinto 14, Calisaan 13, Ortuoste 10, Bulanadi 7, Pretta 6, Sibal 5, Santos 4, Fabian 4, Costelo 3, Capobres 3, Bragais 0, Alvarez 0.
Quarters: 23-17, 43-38, 68-56, 91-69
Second game
MAPUA 88—Oraeme 16, Menina 14, Brana 14, Nimes 13, Nieles 12, Isit 11, Biteng 3, Serrano 3, Aguirre 2, Raflores 0.
EAC 63—Onwubere 21, Hamadou 11, General 8, Munsayac 8, Diego 8, Mejos 5, Bonleon 2, Pascual 0, Corilla 0, Mallari 0.
Quarters: 15-14, 41-38, 61-50, 88-63