MANILA – Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights handed College of St. Benilde Blazers its first defeat in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball with an 81-75 beating on Friday at FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Brent Paraiso spearheaded the attack with 25 points, including four triples, to go with four steals, three assists and two rebounds as the defending champions Knight got back on track for a 2-1 slate.
Fran Yu chipped in 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and six steals, while Paolo Javillonar and rookie Kobe Bryan Monje had 10 markers each for Letran.
From a slim 50-46 lead at the half, the Knights went on a huge scoring surge in the third period behind Paraiso, Javillonar and Monje as they established a 71-56 advantage.
The Blazers, however, responded with a huge rally in the fourth period before Letran’s Louie Sangalang stepped up with two crucial defensive stops to maintain a 77-75 edge.
Yu then rose to the occasion; he attacked the defense of the Blazers for an inside conversions for a 79-75 count with under a minute left to ice the win for the defending champs.
The close victory also served as the Knights’ bounce back after suffering a stunning 72-69 defeat at the hands of Arellano University Chiefs last Sunday.
“I challenged the boys na huwag sana mangyari ‘yung nangyari last game. Very frustrated ‘yung team kaya ayaw lang namin maulit,” Knights head coach Bonnie Tan coach.
Will Gozum tallied double-double 23 points and 10 rebounds. Negrense Miggy Corteza had 18 markers, while Robin Nayve and Ladis Lepalam had 10 each. The Blazers suffered its first loss in four games.
The Blazers missed the services of star guard Miguel Oczon in the contest as he was under the weather. The transferee averaged double-digits on offense in CSB’s three wins.
BOX SCORE:
LETRAN 81 — Paraiso 25, Yu 12, Javillonar 10, Monje 10, Caralipio 8, Reyson 6, Santos 6, Sangalang 4, Ariar 0, Olivario 0, Bautista 0.
CSB 75 — Gozum 23, Corteza 18, Nayve 10, Lepalam 10, Cullar 7, Sangco 4, Pasturan 2, Flores 1, Marcos 0, Carlos 0, Dimayuga 0.
Quarterscores: 25-23, 50-46, 71-62, 81-75./PN
