Letran barges back into the winning column; San Beda shook lowly first half for a run-and-gun finish over Arellano

Kristoffer Alas stepped up in the absence of his younger brother Kevin as he lifted Letran to a 70-54 thrashing of St. Benilde and back into the thick of things in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The defense-minded Alas showed the other facet of his game as he poured in his season-high 15 points he spiked with another personal best 13 rebounds to power the Knights to their second win against four losses.

“I have to give credit where credit is due and he really played well,” said Letran coach Louie Alas referring to the eldest of his son.

Younger Kevin Alas, the offense-minded between the two brothers, sat out his second straight game due to a contusion to his left knee he sustained in a tough game against San Beda two weeks back.

The Blazers fell to their fourth straight defeat after winning their first assignment.

In juniors’ action, San Beda smothered Arellano U, 77-41, to stay at its lofty perch with a 5-1 slate.

Von Chavez and Adam Abatayo paced the Red Cubs with 14 and 10 points, respectively, while talented Baser Amer toyed with a triple-double effort as he finished with nine points, 11 assists and eight boards.

The Letran Squires, for their part, edged the St. Benilde Junior Blazers, 68-64, to improve to a 3-3 card.

The Junior Chiefs fell to their sixth defeat in row while the Junior Blazers dropped their second setback against three triumphs.



San Beda unleashed a second half blitz as it overwhelmed upset-conscious Arellano U, 92-57, wednesday to seize a share of the lead with defending champion San Sebastian.

Slowed down after being held to just 27 first half point, the Lions toughened up the defensive screw and uncorked fast and furious running game to seal their sixth win in row, which is good for joint first.

“They (Arellano) outran and out played us in the second half and I make them realize we’re not playing our game, which is running and running,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. “I’m glad they turned on the switch in the second half.”

Fil-Aussie Anthony Semerad exploded with 20 points including 10 in the third quarter when they turned a 12 points deficit in the first half to a blowout triumph.

Semerad spiked his superb offensive effort with 10 rebounds in a game that also produced a lot of heroes.

Rome dela Rosa came through with fantasy numbers with 16 points, seven boards and six assists while Dave Marcelo had 16 points, 14 caroms and five blocks and Hermida 11 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals to help in the cause.

The Chiefs fell to their fourth setback against two wins.