Fran Yu turned things around in the final frame, helping Colegio de San Juan de Letran get its sixth straight victory at the expense of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 69-50, on Sunday afternoon at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
After being in foul trouble in the first half, Yu turned the switch in the second half scoring all of his 19 points together with five rebounds, an assist, and two steals, helping the Knights pull away toward the victory.
“Fran Yu kasi talagang point guard, facilitator for us and nakita niya na second half nahihirapan maka-score ‘yung team so doon siya nag-deliver,” said Letran head tactician Bonnie Tan.
After having a slight six-point advantage after the second canto, 34-28, Letran got a double-digit lead after Yu converted a four-point play to get a 43-32 lead.
The Knights did not look back from there and got their biggest lead right at the end point of the payoff period following a Neil Guarino freebies.
“So far nag-respond naman positively ‘yung mga players natin sa game plan, which is to be composed whatever na physical game ang ibato sa amin. Sinasabi namin sa mga players na lesson learned na ‘yung first round na lahat ng binibigay sa ating kalaban, talagang go hard. They responded well and wala ring na-thrown out ngayon,” said Tan.
In the first quarter, Alex Desoyo was subbed out of the game after dislocating his finger after a pass to Tristan Felebrico.
The Stags’ woes continued in the second quarter this time with Felebrico snapping his knee during a defensive play against Brent Paraiso.
Both did not return after the injury.
Brent Paraiso helped carry the offensive load for Letran with 13 markers with four boards and three dimes.
Both Louie Sangalang and Paolo Javilionar grabbed 11 rebounds with the former having eight points while the latter had seven.
For San Sebastian, Kenneth Villapando scored eight markers with nine rebounds and an assist but had six turnovers. Rhinwill Yambing also had eight and three boards
The Knights now have the longest active winning streak in the league, now with six (9-3). The Stags on the other hand dropped to 3-6.
Next up for both teams are on Friday. Letran will take on Emilio Aguinaldo College (1-11) at 12 NN, while San Sebastian will face Mapua University (3-9) at 3 PM.
The Scores:
Letran 69 — Yu 19, Paraiso 13, Sangalang 8, Reyson 8, Javillonar 7, Caralipio 6, Olivario 5, Guarino 2, Bojorcelo 1, Go 0, Santos 0, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Miclat 0, Ariar 0.
San Sebastian 50 — Villapando 8, Yambing 8, Are 6, Altamirano 6, Shanoda 5, Sumoda 4, Escobido 4, Aguilar 4, Una 2, Felebrico 2, Cosari 1, Suico 0, Paglinawan 0, Desoyo 0.
Quarterscores: 12-15, 34-28, 49-40, 69-50.