ACE playmaker Fran Yu of reigning two-time champion Letran has embraced the leadership role and has shone as the team’s stabilizer when the going gets tough — never mind if his scoring sometime takes a backseat.
But Yu showed yesterday he still has what it takes in leading Letran to a big win.
Leaning on a furious fourth quarter run, the Knights mauled San Sebastian College 69-50 for their sixth win and solo second in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Yu boomed in three three-pointers and wound up with 19 points, all in the second half, and grabbed five rebounds for Letran, while Brent Paraiso added 13 markers, four boards, and three assists.
Kurt Reyson and Louie Sangalang also combined for 16 points for the Knights, who sustained their grit from a 65-53 victory over Arellano University three days ago and hiked their mark to 9-3.
The Golden Stags, coming off a 78-61 shellacking of Emilio Aguinaldo College last Oct. 14, dropped to 3-6.
The league postponed the Jose Rizal University-Arellano U’s tiff yesterday due to health and safety protocol.
The Intramuros-based five took a 34-28 lead at the half and 49-40 heading into the payoff period.
A Yu triple pushed Letran’s edge to 66-48 with 2:56 left to play in the final canto.
Kenneth Villapando and Rhinwill Yambing paced San Sebastian with eight points apiece.
