Letran took the fight out of Jose Rizal U for the 74-58 victory in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Christian Fajarito and Larry Muyang paced the Knights with 14 points each and 17 rebounds combined as they booked their second straight victory for a third-place tie with Perpetual early in the conference.
Letran pulled away as early as the second quarter, outscoring the Heavy Bombers, 20-9, for a 39-31 lead at the break. That ballooned to as big as 70-43 in the final seven minutes after Fajarito’s basket.
“We are blessed to have been gifted big men this season,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa.
It was a show of force for the Knights, who sorely outrebounded the Heavy Bombers, 55-33, including 24 on the offensive end while being in total control in the paint scoring, 50-14.
JRU had a strong start with a 22-19 lead in the opening quarter but that was not enough to carry them to their first win as they dropped to 0-4.
The scores:
Letran 74 – Fajarito 14, Muyang 14, Calvo 9, Quinto 8, Balanza 7, Ambohot 7, Mandreza 4, Balagasay 3, Celis 3, Batiller 2, Taladua 2, Agbong 1, Yu 0, Banez 0
JRU 58 – Mendoza 16, Esguerra 11, David 10, Miranda 9, Dela Virgen 6, Bordon 4, Mallari 2, Padua 0, Silvarez 0, Dela Rosa 0, Ramos 0, Estrella 0
Quarterscores: 19-22; 39-31; 65-43; 74-58