Knights back on top with 8th straight win

MANILA, Philippines — Louie Sangalang kept his vow and never let up as he powered Letran to a 74-66 victory over St. Benilde yesterday to reclaim the top spot in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Sangalang banged his way to 21 points including a crucial three-point play late and topped it with nine rebounds and three blocks as the Knights extended their win streak to eight while seizing the solo lead from the Blazers with an 11-3 record.

Trailing 60-63 with over two minutes to go, Sangalang teamed up with Kurt Reyson in sparking a devastating 14-3 run that had the fabulous three-peat-seeking boys from Intramuros turning things around in their favor.

“Our hard work is bearing fruit,” said Reyson, who had 14 points including that booming triple in the clutch. “It was also big that since the two returned, they kept their promise that we will never lose again.”

Reyson, of course, was referring to the declaration of Sangalang and Brent Paraiso that they would never lose again after their one-game suspension that got their team reeling to a disastrous 3-3 start in the first round.

Since then, the fiery tandem have kept their cool and the Knights never looked back again to reassert their supremacy in the league they ruled the past two seasons including a sweep of the previous one.