Knights tame Lions in ‘duel’

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

4 p.m. – Lyceum vs San Sebastian

6 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Perpetual

MANILA, Philippines - Letran drew strength from an unusual source, rookie Reneford Ruaya, as it drubbed archrival and last year’s finals tormentor San Beda, 74-67, to regain solo lead in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay last night.

Ruaya struck with a career-high 15 points including a clutch basket down the stretch as the Knights closed the first round of the eliminations atop the heap with an 8-1 (win-loss) record.

Ola Adeogun bested Raymond Almazan in a classic showdown between the league’s best players with the San Beda Nigerian player delivering game-highs of 27 points and 15 rebounds as against the latter’s 22 and 11.

But the 6-7 Almazan, the MVP race stats leader, had the last laugh in helping the Knights through in the gripping battle.

“I couldn’t sleep last night thinking of Ola Adeogun and our loss to them in last year’s finals,” said Almazan.

“It’s a test of character for us because we’re coming from a loss to Perpetual,” said Letran coach Caloy Garcia.

The Lions fell to second with a 7-2 card, half a game ahead of No. 3 Perpetual with a 6-2 slate.

In juniors’ action, five-peat feat-seeking San Beda overpowered Letran, 100-86, to complete a mighty nine-game sweep of the first round.

Former national youth team mainstays Rev Deputado, Arvin Tolentino and Ranbill Tongco fired 24, 19 and 18 points, respectively, to power the Cubs to a third straight sweep of the first round.

Meanwhile, league commissioner Joe Lipa meted out a two-game suspension on Arellano U’s James Forrester and one-game ban on Emilio Aguinaldo’s Sydney Onwubere for their unsportmanlike acts in the Generals’ 79-63 win over the Chiefs last August 17.

Forrester, a Fil-Canadian, served the first of his suspension in yesterday’s game which Arellano U won over Jose Rizal, 67-64.

Kieth Agovida, Prince Caperal, John Pinto and another Fil-Canadian Adam Serjue stepped up in the absence of Forrester by combining for 46 points as the Chiefs halted a four-game slide and improved to 3-6 (win-loss) record.

“I told my players I don’t need them to play a perfect game, I only want them to have a perfect effort,” said Arellano U coach Koy Banal.