Jam Cortes and Mark Cruz took over as Letran bucked the absence of its top gunner to down Perpetual Help, 71-67, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Cruz pumped in 16 points and Cortes posted a double-double of 15 markers and 13 rebounds to lead the Knights to their second triumph in four games even minus team star Kevin Alas, who’s recuperating from a foot injury.
“We didn’t panic because we have many veterans in the lineup,” said coach Louie Alas after his Knights survived several Altas’ rallies. “It’s great also that we took the lead early.”
In the first game, Cameroonian Noube Happi bucked a nagging knee injury to lift Emilio Aguinaldo College past Arellano, 76-65.
Happi collected 16 points, 14 rebounds and a couple of blocks for the Generals, who also had Franz Chiong, Russel Yaya, Remy Morada and Jan Acebron coming through in different stretches.
The Generals tied their victims at 2-4, while the Altas remained winless in five outings. With reports from Randolph B. Leongson and Jan Edward B. Ballesteros
The Scores:
First Game
EAC 76 – Happi 16, Chiong 13, Yaya 12, Morada 11, Acebron 10, King 5, Mallari 5, Pillas 2, Duran 2.
ARELLANO 65 – Ciriacruz 13, Serjue 13, Forrester 11, Caperal 10, Acidre 7, Salcedo 4, Cadavis 2, Hernandez 2, Bangga 2, Pinto 1, Lunas 0, Malanday 0.
Quarters: 11-13, 36-29, 58-45, 76-65
Second Game
LETRAN 71—Cruz 16, Cortes 15, Belorio 11, Luib 8, Gabriel 7, Almazan 6, Gabawan 4, Racal 2, Lituania 2, Pantin 0.
PERPETUAL 67—Vidal 25, Dabayemi 8, Paulino 8, Jolangcob 8, Arboleda 7, Allano 6, Elorpe 5, Thompson 0, Cenita 0, Baloria 0.
Quarters: 21-12, 33-36, 49-50, 71-67