Philippine Collegiate Champions League: Letran trumps La Salle

MANILA, Philippines—Kevin Alas nailed a crucial basket down the stretch as Letran held on to turn back La Salle, 66-61, Tuesday to advance into the next round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Alas sliced through the lane for a tough drive that gave the Knights a 63-59 breathing room with 1:22 left.

“Kevin just improvised that play, luckily he was able to make it,” said Letran coach and Kevin’s father, Louie Alas.

Kevin, who will fly to the US on Wednesday for a one-month training with the LA Slam in the ABA, finished with 14 points.

The clutch basket by Kevin also stopped a 9-0 run by the Green Archers, who came as close as two, 59-61 on a shot by Almond Vosotros with 3:06 remaining.

“Our rebounding was also a key and we stopped their transition,” said Louie, whose squad will play UAAP finalist Far Eastern University on Thursday.

Letran out-rebounded La Salle, 49-38, thanks to Raymond Almazan, who hauled down 17.

Almazan also had 10 points, seven blocks and three assists.

The Archers led in the early portions of the game but lost their momentum when Letran’s diminutive guard Mark Cruz exploded in the third period.

Cruz gave the Knights a much-needed scoring punch as he scored all of his 11 points in the second half.

Norbert Torres scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds on top of three blocks.