Without Jerrick Balanza, two Knights stepped up for Letran, Sunday afternoon.
Behind the performances of King Carlipio and Ato Ular, Letran pounced on the National University Bulldogs, 76-69, to go to 3-0 in Group B of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
“May mga nag-step up sa mga bench players natin. Kaya masaya naman kami sa nilaro ng mga bata,” said first-year Letran head coach Bonnie Tan.
Swingman King Caralipio had 12 points and eight rebounds while Ular added 10 points and six boards.
Behind the duo, the Knights made a huge fourth-quarter turnaround to stun the debuting Bulldogs.
Letran was without Balanza, who sustained a strained left knee during their win against FEU last Friday.
“Minor lang naman knee injury. We decided na di muna siya palaruin until fully recovered na siya,” said Tan.
NU was led by Senegalese big man Issa Gaye, who had 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Shaun Ildefonso also had 14 markers.
The Knights will next face Letran on Friday, May 17 at 2:00pm. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, take on EAC on May 16.
The Scores:
CSJL 76 – Caralipio 12, Ular 10, Olivario 9, Muyang 8, Pambid 8, Reyson 6, Ambohot 5, Mina 5, Balagasay 5, Yu 4, Sangalang 4
NU 69 – Gaye 14, Ildefonso S 14, Ildefonso D 8, Minerva 8, Mosqueda 5, Clemente 4, Tibayan 4, Galinato 4, Gallego 4, Oczon 2, Abatayo 2, Diputado 0, Chatman 0, Salim 0, Rangel 0, Yu 0, Mangayao 0, Sinclair 0, Gonzalez 0
Quarterscores: 15-15, 31-34, 52-53, 76-69
