Behind Bonbon Batiller’s early heater, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights staved off the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 55-43, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Batiller, who only had a total of four points in Letran’s first two games on 1-of-5 shooting, scored all 14 points in the first half on 6-of-8 shooting from the field.
“Yun lang ang good part na nangyari sa game, nag-step up si Bonbon,” said Letran head coach Bonnie Tan as Batiller was saddled with a shoulder injury the entire preseason.
“Definitely, itong season na ito kakailanganin namin isang veteran like him. Happy lang na naka-recover siya sa offense niya,” he continued.
Letran though had to rely on its defense to win their second game in three outings in the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
Jerrick Balanza, who was averaging 25.0 points per game, was held down to just six points on 3-of-11 shooting. Same with burly big man Larry Muyang as he still has to find his rhythm this season as he finished with just five points and seven rebounds while committing five errors.
“Depensa not bad but we struggled on our errors. Di namin nakuha gusto namin which is ma-lessen yun. Andun pa rin e. We have to correct our mistakes,” Tan lamented.
Still, the Knights were able to hold down the 0-3 Heavy Bombers to just 28-percent shooting as they drew inspired performances from rookies Ato Ular and Pao Javillonar, who had eight and seven markers respectively.
Letran led by as much as 15 points in the contest.
Ry Dela Rosa continued to be the lone bright spot for the Heavy Bombers, finishing with 15 points built on three triples.
MJ Dela Virgen shot just 2-of-12 from the field for seven points while Marwin Dionisio and John Amores shot a combined 6-of-20 from the field, scoring six points apiece.
Letran will look to make it three in a row when it faces the Perpetual Altas on Friday, July 19 at 12:00 nn. JRU, on the other hand, looks to stun the Arellano Chiefs at 4:00 pm.
The Scores:
CSJL 55 – Batiller 14, Ular 8, Javillonar 7, Balanza 6, Muyang 5, Mina 5, Yu 3, Ambohot 2, Olivario 2, Pambid 2, Balagasay 1, Caralipio 0, Reyson 0, Sangalang 0.
JRU 43 – Dela Rosa 15, Dela Virgen 7, Dionisio 6, Amores 6, Delos Santos 4, Aguilar 3, Jungco 2, Steinl 0, Vasquez 0, Abaoag 0, Arenal 0
Quarterscores: 11-6, 30-17, 41-33, 55-43
