Louie Sangalang figured in another foul-plagued game, but the veteran big man delivered in the endgame before fouling out as the Colegio de San Juan de Letran escaped University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday.
Sangalang, who only had four points in the first half, converted eight points in the final period to rally the Knights late and give his side a much-needed 70-64 cushion before he picked up his fifth and final foul at the two-minute warning.
Despite his absence, Letran hung on for the the win with Perpetual's Jielo Razon missing out on his last-gasp three-pointer attempt.
Letran head coach Bonnie Tan was all praises for Sangalang, who recently served a two-game suspension alongside Brent Paraiso for their ejections and actions in their game against Mapua University.
"Again, we challenged lang 'yung mga players natin, especially the veterans natin. For Louie, may nabasa siya na match-up between him and (Mark) Omega," Tan shared following a tight 70-67 escape against Perpetual.
"At least naka-deliver siya sa endgame. However, he was fouled out eh, mga unnecessary fouls 'yung mga binibigay niya."
Sangalang already had three fouls at the half, forcing Tan to only field the slotman for six minutes and 54 seconds as Letran took a 36-34 lead at the turn.
But with the ALTAs threatening a comeback, Sangalang and other veterans in Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso, and King Caralipio took it upon themselves to steer the Knights.
Tan, though, is hoping that Sangalang can nurse his fouls as they move forward in the season. Prior to this win, Sangalang also fouled out of their game against San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
"Sana matuto siya doon. Kailangan namin siya eh since reliable siya for a big man."
—JMB, GMA News
