Wangs Basketball@27 Striker-Letran, fended off PSP with a score of 100-92 to finally secure their new head coach Rensy Bajar’s first victory in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup. The game took place on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Knights relied on a scorching 12-1 run at the start of the final quarter and maintained their lead throughout, securing their first win in three games.
This win was much-needed for the reigning three-time NCAA champions, who suffered painful losses against Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda on Yukien Andrada’s buzzer-beater and Centro Escolar U in overtime.
“Syempre masaya kasi ‘yung first two games namin against San Beda at CEU, talagang napakasakit. Those were winnable games for us. Hindi kami pinalad pero naging maganda kasi ‘yung ang nagturo sa amin paano tumibay,” said Bajar.
“Kanina nga sa last two minutes, tinitingnan ko ‘yung oras, parang ang tagal kasi gusto ko na talaga matapos para makuha na namin itong unang panalo. Masaya for our first win pero malayo pa kami,” the UCBL champion coach added.
Skipper Kurt Reyson once again displayed his brilliance, scoring a conference-high 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter. He also contributed four rebounds and eight assists to lead the Knights. Kobe Monje and Neil Guariano added 23 and 11 points, respectively.
With the score tied at 69 after three quarters, Reyson took charge and led the Knights to a quick 81-70 advantage, which they extended to 90-75 for the hard-fought victory.
PSP attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 85-92 in the final minute, but time was not on their side as Dariel James Bayla’s 35 points went in vain.
The Gymers’ record now stands at 2-3.
The Scores:
Wangs-Letran 100 – Reyson 36, Monje 23, Guariano 11, Javillonar 9, Alarcon 7, Fajardo 6, Ariar 6, Santos 2, Laquindanum 0, Cuajao, Lantaya 0, Brillantes 0, Bojorcelo 0, Morales 0.
PSP 92 – Bayla 35, Velchez 12, Yutuc 11, Olegario 9, Dela Cruz 7, Acuña 7, Dino 4, Meneses 3, Castillo 2, Sumagsaysay 2, Sansano 0, Cesista 0, Quinga 0, Reyes 0, Gabriel 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 40-38, 69-69, 100-92.
