LETRAN coach Bonnie Tan wanted a lopsided win against an Arellano University side that played without its main man Justin Arana. Tan got the result he desired.
Swooping on the absence of Arana, the Knights proved too strong for the Chiefs yesterday, scoring an emphatic 96-67 victory for their second straight triumph and a share of the early lead in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
Big man Jeo Ambohot wound up with a career-best 20 points, on top of eight rebounds and three assists for Letran, while Tommy Olivario added 15 markers, including a midcourt heave that beat the third quarter buzzer, and seven dimes.
Rhenz Abando had 11 points, while Louie Sanggalang 10 for the Knights, who stoked their record to 2-0 following their 67-63 win over College of St. Benilde last Saturday.
Arana was initially diagnosed with a partial ACL tear on his right knee that would have ended his final season for good, but a second opinion yesterday downgraded the injury to a sprained ACL.
“We have to take advantage (of Arana’s absence). People are looking at us. How we can respond sa pagkawala ni Arana, na pinaka-top center ng NCAA?” Tan said.
“Hindi lang isang panalo lang kundi convincing win sana,” he added.
In the other game, San Beda University outlasted gritty Emilio Aguinaldo College 85-81 also for its second win in a row.
Fil-Canadian James Canlas spearheaded the Red Lions’ charge with 16 points and six rebounds, while JV Gallego had 15 markers, two boards, and three assists.
Ralph Penuela and Rhayyan Amsali each added 13 points as San Beda came up with a big follow-up to its 84-76 win over Lyceum last Saturday and remained unbeaten in two games.
The Generals failed to bounce back from their 67-73 setback to Mapua University last Sunday and dropped to 0-2.
