NCAA: Letran hammers St. Benilde, 112-91

MANILA, Philippines—Letran showed it can also pile up the points as it cruised to a 112-91 drubbing of College of St. Benilde Wednesday in the NCAA Season 87 at the Arena in San Juan.

Known for their stifling defense, the Knights this time went on a scoring spree behind shifty scorer Kevin Alas, who played another all-around game.

The multifaceted Alas scattered 19 points, five rebounds and six assists to help Letran bounce back from its 62-71 defeat in the hands of pacesetting San Sebastian.

Letran trailed 46-47 before a 9-2 blitz capped by Alas’ triple jumpstarted the Knights offensive onslaught that had them up by double-digits in the majority of the second half.

The Knights, who also drew decent games from inside operators Jam Cortes and Jonathan Belorio, set the tone early and led 31-23 after the first period.

Letran remained in third place toting a 4-1 card while St. Benilde fell to 1-4.

Meanwhile, Mapua finally snapped out of its funk as it handily beat Emilio Aguinaldo College, 80-63, for its first win in five games.

Losing commanding leads late, the Cardinals at last found that lacking killer instinct to hold off the Generals, who missed the services of main man Claude Cubo.

Mapua established a 23-point lead, 58-35, eight minutes in the third period before EAC pulled to within 10, 51-61, on an Igee King basket.

But the Cardinals immediately restored order on a 12-0 tear that took the fight out of the Generals.

Josan Nimes fired 15 points to lead Mapua.