Knights clobber Blazers

MANILA, Philippines — Letran overpowered the College of St. Benilde, 83-72, in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena yesterday.

The Knights’ 6-3 record momentarily tops Group B with Arellano creeping closely behind at 5-3.

“I’m happy, but not satisfied,” said coach Allen Ricardo. “Sabi ko sa kanila this week, para dumali ‘yong basketball natin, we have to start on our defense and everything else will be easy from there. Ito yung resulta.”

The Knights used a hot start to pummel the Blazers early, ending the opening quarter with a 24-13 lead.

Benilde got to within 10 early in the third quarter, 48-38, before Letran unloaded a 12-4 tear capped off by an and-one play from Denzil Walker at the 2:47 mark to give the Knights a 60-42 lead.

Letran entered the payoff period with a 67-48 advantage, a lead the Blazers never got to chop down in the final frame.

Walker did a little bit of everything for the Knights with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Justin Cargo and Aaron Buensalida had 13 a piece while Kevin Santos scored 10.

The Blazers tripped to 6-3 in Group A but not without Jhommel Ancheta and SJ Moore dropping 12 markers each. Justine Sanches struggled mightily in the loss with measly six points.