Letran’s McJour Luib. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
DISMISSED as a title favorite early on, defending champion Letran gave the NCAA field a quick reminder of its ability to step up in a big game.
And for good measure, the Knights used their clash against the fancied Arellano Chiefs yesterday to drive home the point.
“I hope people notice us again,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa, after the Knights stunned the Chiefs, 89-79, to seize solo third spot at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Rey Nambatac bounced back from a so-so game against Emilio Aguinaldo College, picking up 22 points, even as McJour Luib found his range from beyond the arc to chip in a season-best 17 for the Knights, who rose to 3-1.
Jio Jalalon finished with 17 points and 11 assists, but he was held to just 6-of-20 from the field, typifying Arellano’s struggles in the face of the Knights’ suffocating defense.
Earlier, Bright Akhuetie threw his weight around as Perpetual Help crushed San Sebastian, 76-61, to grab a share of fourth spot with the Chiefs.
Hobbled by injuries in the first two games, the 6-foot-8 Nigerian looked like he was back to his old, fearsome self with 20 points and 20 boards to help the Altas improve to 2-1.
With Akhuetie dominating the paint, the Altas turned a two-point first-quarter deficit to a 44-37 lead at the break. They made one final push in the fourth period, extending a six-point lead to double digits to preserve the win.
Daryl Singontiko and Genmar Ilagan contributed 12 and 11 points.
The Stags rode the hot shooting of rookie Rigelle Ilagan to stay in the thick of the fight. Ilagan had 27 points, including six triples, but the former Staglet’s performance was overshadowed by the brilliance of Akhuetie.
The scores:
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 76—Akhuetie 20, Singontiko 12, Ilagan 11, Pido 8, Eze 7, Hao 6, Coronel 4, Dagangon 4, Dizon 4, Cabiltes 0, Yuhico 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 61—Ilagan 27, Capobres 9, Costelo 5, Calisaan 4, Baetiong 3, Bulanadi 3, David 3, Serajosef 3, Fabian 2, Valdez 2, Gayosa 0, Mercado 0, Quipse 0, Calma 0.
Quarters: 19-21, 44-37, 60-54, 76-61
Second Game
LETRAN 89—Nambatac 22, Luib 17, Balanza 12, Calvo 11, Quinto 10, Sollano 9, Apreku 5, Ambohot 2, Sario 1, DL Peña 0.
ARELLANO U 79—Jalalon 17, Nichols 15, Flores 10, Enriquez 9, Meca 8, Gumaru 4, Cadavis 4, Holts 3, Aguilar 3, Salado 2, Villoria 2, Canete 2, Gupilan 0.
Quarters: 24-21, 42-36, 62-61, 89-79