LETRAN remained the hottest team in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament after an 83-65 drubbing of Arellano at the Playtime Filoil Center on Sunday.
The Knights now hold the longest active win streak in the league with five straight dubs to improve to a 5-3 card in Group B.
“We have that discipline now in trying to get better and win as many as possible with our goal being the top two spot,” coach Allen Ricardo said.
“’Di ko naman sila pjnepressure, I just tell them laruin niyo lang ‘yong laro niyo kasi importante talaga ‘yong grit every time they play.”
The Knights had the Chiefs breathing down their necks in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter with a slim six-point cushion, 64-58.
Jonathan Manalili then ignited a 12-4 Letran rally courtesy of a midrange jumper at the 7:07 mark of the fourth which soon ballooned to a 74-62 lead for the Knights with 3:10 to go in the game.
Kevin Santos top scored for Letran with 19 points while Mark Omega helped the cause with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jimboy Estrada cruised to 15 points in the dub while Manalili dished out looks with eight points and 11 assists.
The Chiefs tripped to a 3-5 card in Group A but not without Renzo Abiera’s 15-point outing. T-Mc Ongotan struggled heavily from the field, sinking just three of his 12 tries for a lowly six-point performance.
The scores:
LETRAN 83 - Santos 19, Omega 18, Estrada 15, Gammad 9, Manalili 8, Cuajao 8, Buensalida 6, Rosilio 0, Tapenio 0, Roque 0, Yusi 0
AU 65 - Abiera 15, Vinoya 14, Cabotaje 7, Camay 6, Geronimo 6, Ongotan 6, Valencia 5, Demetria 4, Hernal 2, Libang 0, Borromeo 0, Miller 0, Acop 0, Buenaventura 0
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