Picking up form, the Letran Knights used a balanced attack to whitewash the also-ran Perpetual Altas, 88-69, to clinch their NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Tournament, Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“Good win. At least yung team nagpi-pick up na going into the final four. So hopefully mag-tuluy-tuloy,” said first-year Letran head coach Bonnie Tan, since the Knights have picked up back-to-back wins.
Jerrick Balanza led the way for Letran. Despite fouling out with five minutes left, the graduating forward had 18 points with five rebounds.
Behind Balanza, the Knights went on a 28-point second quarter to gain a 50-30 lead entering the second half.
The lead ballooned to 24 points in the final frame, 88-64, after a Fran Yu triple with 2:22 left.
Christian Balagasay made the most of his playing time as well, tallying 18 points on 5-of-5 shooting and five rebounds in 22 minutes of game time.
Ato Ular added 17 points and 16 boards. Meanwhile, Yu chipped in 14 markers, six boards, four dimes, and two steals.
“Sinasabi ko kay Ato, the past few two to three games, medyo below average nilalaro. Not only sa points but sa rebounds. Sabi ko ‘di ko na siya gagamitn, natakot sa dulo,” added Tan.
Edgar Charcos and Jielo Razon paced Perpetual with 15 markers apiece. The Altas fell to 5-11.
The Scores:
CSJL 88 — Balanza 18, Balagasay 18, Ular 17, Yu 14, Batiller 6, Caralipio 6, Ambohot 3, Mina 3, Reyson 2, Muyang 1, Pambid 0, Guarino 0, Javillonar 0, Sangalang 0.
UPHSD 69 — Charcos 15, Razon 15, Peralta 13, Aurin 11, Adamos 10, Guissani 5, Barasi 0, Tamayo 0, Martel 0, Cuevas 0, Lanoy 0, Sevilla 0, Lucero 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 50-30, 68-53, 88-69.
