Letran waxes hot early to complete NCAA 3-peat vs. CSB

Even if he served his suspension in Game 3, Fran Yu said "Night night!" to CSB. Angela Davocol/NCAA
By Paolo Fule

ANTIPOLO—The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights completed their quest for a third straight NCAA championship at the expense of College of Saint Benilde Blazers with an 81-67 win in the deciding game of their finals series on Sunday night at the Ynares Center here.

Veteran cager King Caralipio lifted the Knights with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Caralipio was later awarded as the Finals MVP, averaging 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists all series long.

Brent Paraiso dropped 16 points to backstop Caralipio.

It was all Letran right from the get-go as they finished the first half with an 18-point cushion, 51-33, following a 27-12 second quarter.

League MVP Will Gozum had early foul troubles in the first half that limited his playing time for the Blazers.

Gozum finished the game with 10 points and 2 rebounds before he was sent out of the playing court for a headbutt on Pao Javillonar with the outcome already settled.

Miggy Corteza led CSB with 14 points, seven rebounds, one block, and two steals.

The scores:

Letran (81)-Caralipio 20, Paraiso 16, Monje 11, Reyson 8, Sangalang 8, Santos 7, Olivario 4, Go 4, Guarinio 2 Javillonar 1, Tolentino 0, Bojorcelo 0

CSB (67)-Corteza 14, Pasturan 10, Gozum 10, Oczon 9, Sangco 9, Nayve 6, Flores 5, Marcos 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Davis 0

Quarterscores: 24-21, 51-33, 70-54, 81-67

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