As veterans, JP Quinto and John Calvo provided the needed leadership.
And their huge effort in the second period propelled the Letran Knights to a 84-69 smothering of the Mapua University Cardinals yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
This kept the Knights within reach of a Final Four semifinals slot with the College of St. Benilde Blazers yesterday in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The Blazers, behind Justine Gutang and three other teammates who scored in double digits, clobbered the Arellano University Chiefs, 89-73, and spoiled the debut of new coach Junjie Ablan.
“We executed the game plan na maganda kaya nanalo kami convincingly. It was a total team effort. And it started with the veterans with the leadership of Bong (Quinto) and JP(Calvo),” said Letran coach Jeff Napa.
The Cardinals were held down to just nine points in the second period as the Knights quickly worked their way out of a 19-all deadlock at the end of the first period.
Calvo led with 26 points and joined hands with Quinto for a 17-4 run that handed the Knights a 45-28 edge and full control of the game. Arvin Gamboa tallied 17 for the Cardinals.
The Knights went on to post their eight win in 12 outings to stay in third spot, while the Blazers are behind at 7-5.
Meanwhile, Gutang shot 23 points for the Blazers, including eight points he made as they quickly moved away, 22-14, at the end of the first period.
“Definitely, we saw ourselves today. We gained our identity and that’s after our loss to Mapua. It has been a long journey. We’ve been through a long journey,” said Blazers’ coach TY Tang.
In the junior division, Joel Cagulangan finished with a career-best 38 points for the La Salle Greenhills as they swamped the Arellano High Braves, 91-77, and hiked their win-loss record in the solo lead at 11-2.
Cagulangan, a graduating point guard, had 12 triples, including three at the start of the third period, allowing the Greenies to charge past a 28-31 halftime deficit and into a 40-31 spread with 8:36 left.
Joshua David complemented Cagulangan’s effort with 24 points, including three of four treys from his end. Together, the Greenies stayed ahead, 71-63, at the end of the period.
“We just let them play in the second half,” said Greenies’ coach Marvin Bienvenida.
Paolo Hernandez, who led with 22 points, knocked in two winning charities in the final 45 seconds, putting the Malayan Red Robins to a 69-66 beating of the Letran Squires and into their 10th victory in 13 games and in the hunt for a Final Four seat with their firm grip on third place.
Dan Archers shot 22 points for the Red Robins, while Neil Guarino made 15 for the Squires.
First Game
Letran 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
Mapua 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
Second Game
CSB 89 – Gutang 23, Nayve 16, Leutcheu 14, Naboa 13, Haruna 9, Carlos 6, Belgica 6, Pagulayan 2, Dixon 0, Pasturan 0, Young 0, Velasco 0, Barnes 0
Arellano U 73 – Alban 22, Concepcion 15, Canete 11, Dela Cruz 10, Alcoriza 6, Dela Torre 3, Villoria 3, Sera Josef 2, Santos 1, Segura 0, Bayla 0
Quarterscores: 22-14, 37-26, 65-50, 89-73