Coming off a deflating loss to the San Beda Red Lions last September 11, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights dropped the hammer on Intramuros neighbors Mapua University Cardinals, 86-69, Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
With the win, Letran remain at solo third with an 8-4 record. On the other hand, Mapua had their two-game winning streak snapped to fall to 4-9.
“Good win for us. Coming off bad game against San Beda at least we bounced back with a statement win against Mapua,” third-year Knights head coach Jeff Napa. “Pero hindi pa rin pwede kami mag-relax eh.”
Fourth-year guard JP Calvo picked up his career-high in the victory, finishing with 26 points on an efficient 9-for-13 clip. Fifth-year forward Bong Quinto also tallied his third triple-double of the season, compiling 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in the contest.
With the two leading the charge, the Knights crushed the Cardinals in the second stanza of the game. The duo combined for 13 of Letran’s 26 points in the quarter while limiting Mapua to just nine points.
Letran would lead by as much as 19 points early in the third frame.
As usual, Letran’s triple towers also had a hand in the victory, with Christian Fajarito having 10 points and five rebounds in just 13 minutes of action. Larry Muyang chipped in nine points and nine rebounds, and Jeo Ambohot gobbled 10 rebounds to go along with eight points and three blocks.
Arvin Gamboa was the high-point man of the Cardinals with 13 points, while Noah Lugo added 13 points. Christian Bunag had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Letran will next face the EAC Generals on Tuesday, September 25. Mapua, on the other hand, look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they take on the Perpetual Altas on Friday, September 29.
The Scores:
CSJL 84 – Calvo 26, Quinto 11, Fajarito 10, Muyang 9, Ambohot 8, Celis 7, Yu 5, Taladua 4, Balagasay 2, Mandreza 2, Galvelo 0, Batiller 0, Agbong 0, Pambid 0, Banez 0
MU 69 – Gamboa 17, Lugo 13, Bunag 12, Pelayo 8, Jabel 7, Bonifacio 4, Aguirre 4, Nieles 2, Victoria 1, Salenga 1, Serrano 0, Biteng 0, Garcia 0
Quarterscores: 19-19, 45-28, 64-50, 84-69
