By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN, MM—It was supposed to be a nick-and-tuck second-round match-up between last year’s finalists Letran and San Beda.
Instead, it turned out to be a demolition game for the Red Lions.
The Lions sent the Knights to their fifth consecutive setback with an 83-71 win in the emotionally-charged third game of the NCAA Season 92 basketball action Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The league leaders went on a scoring onslaught in the middle two quarters, while limiting the defending champions to just 35 percent shooting the entire game to to book their 11th win against two setbacks.
Coach Jamike Jarin’s boys built a commanding 53-34 third quarter advantage, then swelled to 68-50 on a Davon Potts three-point play, before Ben Adamos pulled up a mid-range jumper for a 76-63 edge.
Letran rallied and threatened at 70-78 with a less than 30 seconds left, but it was too little too late.
Potts finished with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting along with six rebounds and two assists.
Adamos continued his brilliant showing in place of injured Donald Tankoua with a near double-double of 18 points, nine rebounds, and six blocked shots.
Javee Mocon contributed a double-double performance of 17 points and 11 caroms.
The game, however, was marred by a near free-for-all after Bong Quinto, Jerrick Balanza, and Jomari Presbitero had a shoving match down low with seven seconds remaining.
Quinto then was slapped with an offensive foul, and Balanza an unsportsmanlike foul.
Even Jarin was issued with a technical foul.
Jom Sollano topscored for the Knights, now at the bottom half of the standings with a 5-7 card, with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Quinto and Rey Nambatac combined for 30 points on an horrendous 9-of-21 shooting.
Box Scores:
San Beda 83-Potts 23, Adamos 18, Mocon 17, Presbitero 6, Sara 4, Soberano 4, Noah 4, Bonsubre 3, Bolick 2, Tongco 2, Bahio 0, Carlos 0
Letran 71-Sollano 18, Quinto 17, Nambatac 13, Balanza 9, Calvo 9, Luib 3, Ambohot 2, Apreku 0, Balagasay 0, Bernabe 0, Pambid 0, Dela Pena 0, Sario 0
Quarterscores: 23-22, 43-32, 56-43, 83-71
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