Tall Knight shines in duel against Lions

MANILA, Philippines - Seeking revenge, Raymond Almazan got what he wanted when he turned in a big double-double job to lead Letran past arch rival San Beda, 74-67, in their key matchup in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last weekend.

Not only did the Knights got back at the Lions, who swept them in last year’s title duel but the win also gave them the solo lead after the first round elims.

Letran’s center of attraction also bagged the ACCEL/3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of Week award with a sterling 22-point, 11-rebound, three-shot block production.

“Heading to the San Beda, my mind was on our game last year (finals). I really want to get even,” said the 6-8 Almazan in Filipino. 

Following the team’s sub-par performance against Perpetual Help, which stopped the Knights’ seven-game streak, Almazan poured it all out to steer the Muralla-based squad to victory in their highly physical encounter.

Almazan beat Perpetual Help teammates Juneric Baloria and Nosa Omorogbe for the Gatorade-backed weekly plum.

For the season, Almazan has posted norms of 14.1 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots per ballgame – all ranking within the top 10 of the league’s best in each category.