Letran Wallops Perpetual for Fifth Straight Win

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=44680

By FRANK CALAPRE
The Manila Times Correspondent

Defending champion Collegio de San Juan de Letran held University of Perpetual Help Dalta to only six points in the third period en route to a lopsided 60-48 win Monday in the 82nd National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Despite the double teaming defense of the Altas, Boyet Bautista still managed to top score with 14 points for the 15-time champion Knights, who remained unbeaten after stretching their winning streak to five.

“Immediately at the start, they were like putting a handcuff on Boyet [Bautista]. So I told him not to challenge them and just play his usual game,” Letran coach Loiue Alas said.

It was not an easy win for the Knights, though, as they had to struggle from a 12-point deficit midway in the second quarter before grabbing the lead, 28-27, on Bautista’s two charities entering the final half.

“We have 17 turnovers in the first half, that’s why we have to make adjustments especially on our offense,” Alas added.

Aaron Aban scored four points and Bautista added three to widen the Knights’ lead to, 44-34, some 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

From there, Letran, which is aiming to surpass its 11-game winning streak last year, had the match in complete control the rest of the way as Baustista connected with two straight triples for a big 57-42 edge going to the final two minutes of the match.

Aside from Bautista, who also grabbed 7 rebounds and 2 steals, Aban finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists while Hafer Mondragon scored 8.

Conrad Bauzon and Khiel Misa were the only two who scored with double digits for the Altas with 12 points and 11 respectively.

In the juniors game, Richard Mojada scored 27 points to lift the UPHD Altalettes past Letran Squires, 80-72, in the first game.