FilOil: Knights overpower Red Warriors

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights overcame a rusty start to put away the University of the East Red Warriors, 64-56, in Friday's FilOil Flying V Pre-season Cup action.

 

The veteran Knights, led by Kevin Alas' 17 points, overpowered the upstart Warriors to even their standing to 1-1.  

The Red Warriors, a UAAP non-contender last year, enjoyed brief success in the first quarter surprising the Knights with a 16-10 lead. But Alas changed things up in the second quarter as he restored order to Letran's offense nailing four three-pointers to score 14 of the Knights' 16 points in the same period. UE guard Roy Sumang tried to match Alas' effort carrying the Red Warriors on his shoulders with six points of his own in the second canto. His efforts were not enough as the Recto-based quintet trailed at the break owing to multiple turnovers and missed easy shots.

Sumang tallied 12 points in the game, the lone Warrior to score in double digits. Teammate JM barely made an impact and only made three points, all free throws, while missing all seven of his field goal attempts. The Knights opened the third period with a 12-6 run forcing UE coach Jerry Codiñera to burn a timeout.

 

Letran, after the brief pause, did not slow down and scored 25 points in the quarter with Junjun Alas, Jam Cortes and Mark Cruz—who combined for 18 markers—joining the offensive party.  

UE, on the other hand, had difficulty scoring on their half court set. The Red Warriors' poor decision making and missed shot attempts also helped the Knights' transition attacks where the boys from Muralla tallied 15 markers the entire game.  

Both teams cooled off in the fourth, with UE quietly chipping away Letran's lead. The Red, with under two minutes remaining, trimmed the Knights' lead to nine behind Pedrito Galanza's five points and Noble's two free throws. UE, however, floundered in its next two possessions allowing Letran to finish unharrassed. — JVP, GMA News