Letran guard Brent Paraiso shoots a jumper during a game against San Sebastian in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Letran got a boost with the return of its key cogs to fend off San Sebastian, 77-69, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.
The Knights welcomed back Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang from a two-game suspension and stopped a two-game slide.
“Obviously we missed them, especially in the end game. They are two of the remaining veterans we have and when they’re gone, you can see in the past two games, we don’t have the finishing kick,” Letran head coach Bonnie Tan said.
Paraiso and Sangalang hit timely baskets in the fourth quarter that kept the Stags at bay.
With the Knights ahead by just three, Sangalang scored in the paint while Kurt Reyson sank a triple to put the game away, 75-67.
Paraiso also helped quell San Sebastian’s comeback bid with timely triples. He finished with 10 points.
King Caralipio led Letran with 13 points and eight rebounds. Sangalang collected 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks as Letran improved to 4-3. Fran Yu also had an all-around game with nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Raymart Escobido’s 18 and Romel Calahat’s 17 points paced San Sebastian, which slid to 2-4.