LETRAN finally got the convincing win it has been craving for, brutalizing St. Benilde, 88-64, to end the first round of the NCAA Season 95 seniors basketball tournament Friday at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Jerrick Balanza led the Knights in the mugging with 26 points as they started hot off the gates with a 12-1 opener before continuing to pound on the Blazers to inflate the lead to as many as 17.
St. Benilde tried to close in by halftime at 46-35, but Letran responded with a 16-5 assault that gave it a 62-40 advantage midway through the third frame.
It was an all-out bullying on the part of the Knights as the lead swelled to as many as 30, 82-52, after back-to-back treys from Balanza and Jeo Ambohot with 7:57 remaining.
Bonbon Batiller added 10 points and two assists, while Tommy Olivario and Larry Muyang both had seven in the trouncing.
"Aside from the win, gumanda ang ranking natin lalo na sa top four. Pero mas masaya ako na nailabas na namin yung laro namin na matagal ko na hinahanap," said coach Bonnie Tan, as the Knights forced a three-way tie for second place at 6-3.
The Blazers have now lost three of their last four games after starting the season 5-0.
It was Letran's biggest win after scoring a 12-point victory over Jose Rizal University, 55-43.
Kendrix Belgica led St. Benilde with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Yankie Haruna had eight points and three boards.
Justin Gutang was held to just three points in 1-of-6 shooting from the field, on top of his four rebounds and three assists in the defeat.
The Scores:
LETRAN 88 -- Balanza 26, Batiller 10, Olivario 7, Muyang 7, Caralipio 6, Yu 6, Ular 6, Balagasay 6, Ambohot 5, Reyson 5, Mina 2, Sangalang 2, Javillonar 0, Guarino 0.
ST. BENILDE 64 -- Belgica 12, Haruna 8, Naboa 7, Flores 7, Carlos 7, Nayve 6, Sangco 5, Lepalam 5, Gutang 3, Young 3, Leutcheu 1, Dixon 1, Velasco 0, Mosqueda 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 46-35, 73-49, 88-64.
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