The Letran Knights played with more coordination and cohesion this time around.
JP Calvo scored 20 points to lead the Knights’ big effort to post an 84-63 demolition of the Mapua Cardinals yesterday in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Larry Muyang added 15 points, as he muscled his way in the shaded lanes in the first period. The Knights took off to a 7-0 run that quickly paved the way for their fifth win in eight games.
“At least na-address na namin ang mistakes namin in the past two games. I’m happy we came out with a convincing win,” said Knights coach Jeff Napa.
John Quinto added 12 for the Knights which broke the game early, taking a 40-21 edge at the tail-end of the first half.
Calvo then handed the Knights their biggest lead of 26, 65-39, with 9:46 still to play in the fourth.
Meanwhile in the juniors division, the San Beda Red Cubs banked on the heroics of Cyrus Llarena to escape with a 63-59 triumph over the Lyceum Junior Pirates.
The 18-year old Llarena was cool as ice in the endgame and sank two pressure-packed charities in the last 52 seconds to hand the Red Cubs a four-point cushion and claim their fourth triumph in seven games.
Red Cubs coach JB Sison said the boys are relieved as they were able to bounce back from their 51-52 setback loss to the San Sebastian Staglets last week.
“Bawi lang. Masakit kasi (‘yung talo namin na ‘yun) dahil apektado kami sa standings,” said Sison, who recalled that they have not lost to the Staglets since 2014.
While the Mapua Red Robins High School moved closer to the no. 2 spot in the standings after they banked on the big game of Clint Escamis, to put away the Letran Squires, 83-63.
Escamis pocketed a game high 24 points, while grabbing six boards, five assists, and four steals to tow the Red Robins to their seventh triumph in nine games at the end of the first round.
Dan Arches, who had 19 points, nearly got into a scuffle with Squire CJ Saure following an exchange of words with 6:55 left.