Colegio de San Juan de Letran completed its elimination sweep over Mapua University, 74-58, on Saturday in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Knights are now .5 game ahead at the top of the standing with 13-4, solidifying their spot above. The Cardinals on the other hand have dropped to 6-11.
With Mapua only down by eight, 58-66 looking for a comeback, King Caralipio nailed a crucial basket to bring Letran to double digits, 68-58 with 2:25 remaining.
Louie Sangalang nailed the dagger with 46.6 left after a basket-plus-foul play under the basket before Kurt Reyson put up the finishing touches with a triple right before the buzzer sounded.
“Nag-adjust lang kami dun sa nangyari last time sa San Beda na hindi kami nakapag execute ng maayos. So ngayon mas maganda yung ball movement and ball sharing namin. Pinakamataas ngayon yung assist namin — 26. Kaya siguro nanalo kami today,” said Knights assistant coach Raymund Tiongco.
It was a closely contested game in the first quarter with Letran only leading by four, 22-18.
The Knights however came alive in the second quarter, scoring 24 points led by both bigs Sangalang and Paolo Javilionar.
Sangalang paved the way for Letran with 21 points and five rebounds. Fran Yu scored 10 markers, seven dimes, three dimes, a steal, and a block; Reyson had a well-rounded nine points, five rebounds, and six assists.
For Mapua, Paolo Hernandez was the only one in double figures with 13 points, five rebounds, and a block.
Both teams will play their final assignments on Wednesday. Letran will be facing Jose Rizal University, while Mapua will be taking on San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The Scores:
Letran 74 — Sangalang 21, Yu 10, Reyson 9, Caralipio 8, Javillonar 8, Ariar 6, Monje 4, Olivario 3, Guarino 3, Paraiso 2, Santos 0.
Mapua 58 –– Hernandez 13, Bonifacio 8, Pido 8, Nocum 6, Cuenco 5, Lacap 5, Soriano 4, Garcia 3, Salenga 3, Agustin 3, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 22-18, 46-32, 60-53, 74-58.
