MANILA – Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights is moving closer to a three-peat after an 81-75 win over College of St. Benilde Blazers in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball finals on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing early in the fourth quarter, the Knights got consecutive baskets from King Caralipio and Kurt Reyson to turn a one-point deficit to a 76-69 advantage with four minutes in the game.
The Blazers made its last run at 73-76 on back-to-back layups by Negrense Miggy Corteza but the Knights got timely free throw hits from Fran Yu and Tommy Olivario to seal the win.
Louie Sangalang posted a career-best 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block before cramping out late in the fourth quarter as the Knights took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three titular showdown.
Caralipio and Reyson chipped in 16 and 13 markers, respectively, while veteran Brent Paraiso had nine points four rebounds, two assists, and two steals before fouling out with 3:49 left in the contest.
“‘Yung composure ng mga veterans, ‘yun ‘yung ginamit namin which is ‘yung experience,” said coach Bonnie Tan. “Ang sa akin lang, sinabi lang namin na we will not win if we will outscore lang ‘yung Benilde. We have to focus and correct our defensive rules.”
The Knights were dominant in the first two quarters as they created a double-digit separation from the Blazers but the latter rallied back late in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 50-52 at the half.
The Blazers continued its run in the third period as they surged to a 58-52 advantage but the Knights took advantage of cramps and injuries on the side of their opponent to claw its way back in the game.
The Blazers, however, were short handed late in the game with Migs Oczon out with injuries, while Corteza, Will Gozum, Mark Sangco, Robi Nayve, JC Cullar, and Makoy Marcos suffered from cramps at certain points in the game.
Presumptive MVP Gozum powered the Blazers with double-double 18 points and 11 rebounds, Corteza added 18 points and two boards, while Sangco contributed 10 markers./PN
BOX SCORE:
LETRAN 81 – Sangalang 24, Caralipio 16, Reyson 13, Paraiso 9, Yu 7, Javillonar 5, Olivario 4, Santos 2, Go 1, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Ariar 0.
CSB 75 – Gozum 18, Corteza 18, Sangco 10, Nayve 9, Marcos 7, Pasturan 4, Oczon 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Lepalam 2, Flores 0, Sumabat 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 52-50, 66-67, 81-75/PN
