By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
DEFENDING CHAMPION Letran was probably still recovering from its shock loss to San Beda last Friday when they faced College of St. Benilde yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Knights were sluggish and for more than two quarters, trailed the inspired Blazers. But the thought of falling farther behind tournament leader San Beda must have awakened them from their stupor.
They soon regained their touch and pulled off a comfortable 71-63 over the Blazers that put them in familiar territory – on the top of the standings with new rival San Beda, both with seven wins and one loss.
The Knights rallied behind Aaron Aban and Boyet Bautista to overcome the Blazers who were still fighting until late in the game when they tied the count at 63-all.
That proved to be St. Benilde’s last stand, however, as it went down to its seventh loss in eight games.
Despite playing with a sprained right ankle sustained from practice, Aban pumped in 10 of his 19 points in the final period apart from hauling eight rebounds while the veteran Bautista added 12 markers and seven boards to anchor the Knights’ victory.
Rookie Fiel Daa complemented the duo’s feat with 12 points and nine rebounds.
"We expected na magiging close ang laro because Benilde is hungry for the win. Pero sluggish kami sa start kaya nakalamang sila," said Letran coach Louie Alas.
The Blazers raced to the front and were ahead, 56-52, late in the third quarter when Aban caught fire, pouring in seven straight points in an 11-4 Letran blast that gave the Knights the upperhand, 63-60 mid-fourth quarter.
Kris Robles buried a triple to tie the count, 63-63, but that was it for the Blazers as Letran scored the last 8 points.
Jeff Libunao was the lone double-digit scorer for St. Benilde with 11 points as Robles and Archimedes David finished with seven markers each.
Earlier, Philippine Christian University walloped University of Perpetual Help, 64-54, for its second straight victory and an overall third best 6-2 slate.
The Dolphins, bannered by Jason Castro and Gabby Espinas, pushed down the Altas to their sixth loss in seven outings.
Espinas sizzled with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists to lead the Dolphins while the 2004 Rookie-MVP Espinas finished with a double-double, hauling down 13 reboundsd and scoring 12 points.
It was a double celebration for Philippine Christian as the Baby Dolphins sank the Altalettes, 86-76, for their fifth win in seven games.
The Altalettes dropped to 1-6.
The scores:
First Game (Juniors)
PCU 86 — Lansang 21, Navaja 16, Pascual 15, Asucion 12, Anacta 8, Degano 8, Importante 5, Faurillo 1, Miranda 0, Delaten 0, Ibrao 0, Bandal 0, Martinez 0.
UPHDS 76 — Dizon 20, Pasilong 13, Biscocho 10, Orbe 9, Villamor 9, Mojado 7, Amores 6, Labapis 2, Chacon 0.
Quarters: 17-10, 46-27, 58-49, 86-76.
Second Game (Seniors)
PCU 64 — Castro 16, Espinas 12, Garrido 11, David 8, Belga 8, Amparado 6, Navarro 3, Vidal 0, Salem 0, Santos 0, McCoy 0, Hermosa 0.
UPHDS 54 — Bauzon 14, Misa 13, Joe 8, Kong 7, Mendoza 6, Galabin 3, Pertubos 3, Manuel 0, Racho 0, Lee 0, Reyes 0, Liaz 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 27-25, 45-31, 64-54.
Third Game (Seniors)
LETRAN 71 — Aban 19, Bautista 12, Daa 12, Mondragon 6, Balneg 6, Quinday 4, Faundo 4, Guevarra 3, Dangcal 2, Melegrito 2, Realista 1, Ranises 0.
CSB 63 — Libunao 11, Robles 7, David 7, M. Urra 6, Manlapaz 6, Manding 6, Johnston 5, Layug 5, Umias 4, Aldover 2, Cadiz 2, D. Urra 0, Trillo 0, Devaras 0.
Quarters: 13-18, 36-32, 52-56, 71-63.
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