Letran’s 3-pointers slay NCAA champ San Beda

MANILA, Philippines – In the first meeting between two longtime collegiate basketball rivals this season, Colegio de San Juan de Letran drew first blood against the reigning NCAA champion San Beda College, 93-80, on Thursday, July 16 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

The Intramuros-based troop’s beyond-the-arc baskets played a pivotal role in taming the Red Lions as the Knights tie with the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta on top of the league’s team standings with a 3-0 record.

Kevin Racal served as the knight in shining armor for Aldin Ayo’s dirty dozen as he mustered 20 points and took charge in the fourth period by converting eight markers after Mark Cruz suffered leg cramps and Rey Nambatac fouled out.

Before sitting out for Letran, Cruz registered eight of his 16 points in the third quarter, including a back-to-back triples that put the Knights ahead by 67-46.

Meanwhile, Nambatac contributed ten of his 13 baskets in the second stanza and joined Cruz in draining shots from downtown,

The Red Lions, who lost veteran playmaker Baser Amer earlier in the game due to a shoulder injury, obliterated a 21-point deficit and turned the contest into a nip-and-tuck battle in the fourth frame.

Ola Adeogun hauled 20 points, while Art Dela Cruz supplied 18 points for San Beda as the Jamike Jarin-mentored squadron falls to 2-1 in the tournament’s leader board.

Scores:

Letran (93) – Racal 20, Cruz 16, Nambatac 13, Calvo 12, Sollano 10, Apreku 9, Luib 6, Quinto 5, Balanza 2 

San Beda (80) – Adeogun 20, Dela Cruz 18, Amer 10, Koga 7, Tongco 7, Tankoua 6, Cabanag 4, Mocon 3, Solera 4

Quarter scores: 21-15; 52-33; 67-53; 93-80 

– Rappler.com