Colegio de San Juan de Letran steamrolled San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 99-62, to stretch its unbeaten start in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
With the victory, Letran improved to 2-0 for sole possession of first place in the Group B standings, while San Sebastian extended its losing streak to six games, including four carried over from last season. The Stags fell to 0-2 and remained at the bottom of the group.
Earlier in the day, the league canceled the first game of Friday’s doubleheader between Jose Rizal University and San Beda University after heavy rains in the San Juan area caused condensation and water buildup on the playing surface, rendering the court unsafe for competition.
Conditions later improved, allowing the second game to proceed as scheduled.
In the second quarter, Letran’s stifling defense forced San Sebastian to search for answers as the Knights went on an 8-0 run before the Stags finally ended their scoring drought with a Khit Barroga triple with 4:33 remaining in the period.
The Knights kept their foot on the gas on both ends of the floor, with Titing Manalili converting a layup off an inbound steal to stretch their lead to 22 points at halftime, 49-27.
Letran continued to punish the Stags in the third frame, with Manalili feeding Chad Gammad for a reverse layup that gave the Knights a 69-39 advantage.
San Sebastian remained buried in a deep hole as Letran carried a 75-47 lead into the final period.
The Knights’ balanced attack proved too much for the Stags in the fourth quarter, as Letran cruised to the 37-point victory.
Letran will next face Arellano University on Monday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, will take on the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the same San Juan venue.
