Knights, Blazers stretch win run

Letran showed too much class and power over San Sebastian as it came away with a 78-65 victory yesterday to notch its third straight victory for a share of lead with St. Benilde in the 81st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Sophomore guard John Paul Alcaraz fired 21 points, while Aaron Aban and Boyet Bautista tossed in 15 and 13 points, respectively, to steer the Intramuros-based squad to its best start since 1998.

However, Letran coach Louie Alas, who piloted the Knights to the NCAA crown twice (1998 and 2003), downplayed his wards’ fine start, saying they still have to face tougher teams in the coming days, including last year’s Final Four tormentor and defending champion Philippine Christian U Dolphins.

"A 3-0 start doesn’t mean a thing for me, kasi wala pa talaga ’yung malalakas na teams," said Alas. "But I’m happy with this because it shows the fluidity of the team."

That fluidity was best shown in the fourth quarter, when the Knights dismantled the Stags’ pressure defense, and in a way found ways tighten their own defense in the final canto.

The Stags reeled to their third straight setback.

The Blazers, meanwhile, overcame a shaky start as they foiled the San Beda Red Lions with a big run in the fourth quarter en route to posting a 65-55 win in the other seniors game.

San Beda also fell to 0-3.

The Knights controlled the boards, 41-37. Although they committed more turnovers, 30 to 21, they converted 20 turnover points, while the Stag only scored 13. They also had 10-second chance points.

The Squires, last year’s first runner-up, made it a twin-kill for Letran as they downed the Staglettes, 68-64, which avenged their recent loss to nemesis San Beda Red Cubs and improved their record to 2-1.