LETRAN capitalized on the absence of big man Justin Arana to overwhelm Arellano University, 96-67, for its second straight win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament Wednesday at the La Salle-Greenhills Gym.
Arana is out with a right knee sprain he suffered in the Chiefs’ 65-63 win over San Sebastian last Sunday. He will undergo therapy and is expected to return later in the season.
“We have to take advantage,” Knights coach Bonnie Tan said. “People are looking at us. How we can respond on the absence of Arana, the league’s top center—not simple victories, but convincing ones.”
Letran pounced on Arellano University’s lack of size in the middle as Jeo Ambohot had 20 points and eight rebounds and Louie Sangalang produced a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Knights outscored the Chiefs, 21-9, in the second period to build a 41-26 lead and led by as many as 32 points late in the game.
Tommy Olivario added 15 points, including a buzzer-beating heave from midcourt that gave Letran a 66-51 advantage at the end of third period. Rhenz Abando added 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks for the Knights.
Having been with Tan only last February, Abando is trying his best to repay the Knights who sought him during the off season.
“We can’t say nothing less about Coach Bonnie [Tan]. If we had shortcomings during the bubble, he always had his ways,” Abando said.
Axel Doromal and John Carandang each had 11 points for the Chiefs, who fell into a tie with idle College of Saint Benilde Blazers at 1-1 won-lost.