LETRAN showed why it is the defending two-time NCAA champion yesterday.
Carrying the banner of Wangs Basketball, the Knights turned back Adalem Construction-St. Clare 94-87 as the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup got going at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Louie Sangalang notched a double-double of 21 points, 11 rebounds, to go with four assists, and two blocks, while Kobe Monje chipped in 17 markers and six boards for the Knights.
Tommy Olivario also tallied 12 points, four caroms, and seven dimes, while Brent Paraiso and King Caralipio combined for 24 that made up for the absences of ace players Fran Yu and reigning NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando.
In the other game, Centro Escolar University dismantled AMA Online 101-82.
Jerome Santos waxed hot with 36 points on four three-pointers, on top of eight rebounds and six assists for the Scorpions.
Anjord Cabotaje added 11 points, while Franz Diaz, Dave Bernabe, and Vince Ferrer had nine points each for CEU.
The wards of coach Bonnie Tan nearly squandered a 23-point lead as the Saints threatened at 88-85 on a Jolo Sumagaysay triple with 57.1 seconds left.
Caralipio boomed in a clutch trey from the left corner that took the fight out of Adalem Construction-St. Clare, only 47.0 ticks left.
“Iyong championship composure, iyong ang need naming ilabas sa ganitong klaseng game,” Tan said. “Iyon lang ang napag-usapan ng team, na let’s be composed.”
