Knights boot out Archers; Eagles up

MANILA, Philippines - Letran bucked the absence of three key players with JP Belencion sizzling with 10 triples and a total of 36 points as the Knights stunned the defending champion La Salle Archers, 83-72, in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

In the other game, UAAP champion Ateneo stamped its class on Lyceum, fashioning out an easy 73-63 victory to advance to the Elite Eight of the tourney sponsored by by PLDT, Smart, ABS-CBN, The Philippine STAR and Molten.

Nico Salva, Jai Reyes and Ryan Buenafe put in double-digit outputs for the Eagles who lived up to their billing as the tournament top seed.

The Eagles play the winner of the Univ. of Santo Tomas-Jose Rizal U tussle in the quarterfinals.

The Knights rode high on Belencion’s torrid shooting as they eliminated the Archers and advanced to the Elite Eight of the tourney where they finished third last year behind the Archers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

“Going to the game, all we wanted was to be able to compete. We even thought of backing out as we only have 10 players left with Rey Guevarra and Kirk del Rosario injured and RJ Jazul tied up with Smart Gilas,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

“Belencion’s shooting was the key. He opened up a big lead for us making us realize we can’t just compete but can win the game,” Alas added.

Belencion, a 6-foot-2 wingman in his third year with the Knights, went 10-of-19 from the three-point arc, two-of-two from the two-point zone and two-of-two from the stripe for his career-best output.

Reymar Gutilban added three treys and a total of 15 points for the Knights who handled well the Archers’ pressing defense, winning the contest that lined them up for a shot at the semis against the winner of the San Sebastian-San Carlos tiff.

“Most probably, it would be San Sebastian. We would be the underdogs again ranged against the NCAA champions,” said Alas. “Hopefully, RJ (Jazul) is already allowed to play (by Smart Gilas) then.”

Belencion waxed hottest in the third period, pouring in 14 to lead a decisive attack that gave the Knights a 64-52 advantage going into the final quarter.

The Archers came to within five at 66-71 but the Knights pulled away for good at 80-66 on three straight three-pointers from Belencion and Gutilban.