Letran Knights. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Louie Sangalang propelled Letran past Perpetual Help, 70-67, in the first round of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Saturday.
The Knights, who improved to 5-3, turned to Sangalang who scored eight of his 12 points in the last five minutes of the game before fouling out with two minutes remaining in the game.
“He was fouled out, sadly. He gave unnecessary fouls so I hope he works on it because we really need him. He’s reliable for this team,” Letran coach Bonnie Tan said.
Even after the 6-foot-4 bruiser’s departure from the game, the Knights still held a comfortable 70-64 lead until Perpetual’s Jielo Razon sank a three-point shot from way beyond the arc to narrow the gap, 70-67, with 55.5 seconds remaining.
Letran turned the ball over in the dying seconds due to a jump ball violation which gave the Altas a chance to send the game to overtime.
Razon, who was hot the entire game and finished with 20 points, missed the all-important shot of the game as he bricked a triple with 1.5 ticks left.
Fran Yu and Brent Paraiso fueled the Knights to victory with 13 points each. Yu also dropped five assists.
Kim Aurin chipped in 13 markers for the Altas as they go down to 4-4 in the standings.
The Scores:
LETRAN 70 — Paraiso 13, Yu 13, Sangalang 12, Caralipio 6, Reyson 6, Javillonar 5, Ariar 4, Santos 3, Monje 3, Olivario 3, Bojorcelo 2, Miclat 0, Guarino 0.
PERPETUAL 67 — Razon 20, Aurin 13, Nitura 8, Abis 7, Barcuma 6, Ferreras 3, Roque 3, Omega 2, Boral 2, Egan 2, Martel 1, Cuevas 0, Flores 0, Nunez 0.
Quarters: 21-14, 36-34, 52-55, 70-67.