It took a while before Colegio de San Juan de Letran got its act together but they still cruised to a 68-57 victory over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to keep its unbeaten slate intact in the NCAA Season 97 on Sunday.
Rhenz Abando shone anew to tally a new career-high of 24 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals as the Knights improved to 3-0 to kick off their title retention bid while the Altas dropped to a 1-2 hole.
Holding just a five-point lead at the half, Letran banked on the hot-shooting Abando, who led a big third quarter rally where they outscored the Altas, 26-13, for a huge 54-36 cushion to end the frame.
During that rampage, the high-flying Abando drilled 11 of his overall output as they blew the game wide open.
The lead stayed for good with Letran but Perpetual still tried to pump life back to their game with veterans Jeff Egan and Kim Aurin trimming their deficit to 12, 55-67, in the final stretch of the fourth.
But the Muralla-based team held on for their third straight victory.
Before that, Letran had a slow start with Perpetual opening the ballgame with a quick 6-0 run but three triples from the side of the Knights helped them flip the narrative in the second quarter. They went to the locker room for the break holding a slim 28-23 spread.
Aside from Abando's heroics, big man Louie Sangalang also played well for Letran with his 10 points, three rebounds, and two blocks while Christian Fajarito and Jeo Ambohot each had 11 boards.
Egan and Aurin, meanwhile, carried the load for Perpetual with the former dropping 15 points and three rebounds and Aurin had 12 markers and six boards in the losing effort.
Letran will try to extend its winning streak to four when it battles Mapua University on Friday while Perpetual will look to end its slump on Wednesday against Arellano University.
The scores:
Letran 68 — Abando 24, Sangalang 10, Mina 10, Caralipio 6, Fajarito 5, Ambohot 4, Paraiso 4, Yu 2, Olivario 2, Reyson 1, Javillonar 0, Guarino 0, Tolentino 0.
UPHSD 57 — Egan 15, Aurin 12, Omega 8, Nunez 6, Barcuma 5, Abis 4, Ferreras 4, Sevilla 2, Boral 1,nRazon 0, Martel 0, Cuevas 0, Pagaran 0.
Quarters: 13-10, 28-23, 54-36, 68-57.
—JMB, GMA News
