NCAA finalists Letran, Benilde take down San Beda, Arellano in FilOil tiff

NCAA Season 98 finalists Colegio de San Juan de Letran and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde took down their collegiate opponents to rack up wins in the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Monday.

Reigning three-time champion Letran bucked a slow first half to deny archrival San Beda with a 72-64 comeback victory to book back-to-back wins while Benilde carved out a wire-to-wire 94-83 win against Arellano.

Letran leaned on veteran sniper Kurt Reyson who churned out 20 points off the bench alongside eight assists and two rebounds while rookie Deo Cuajao chipped in 15 markers and two boards as recovered from a quiet first half.

Letran improved to 4-1 while San Beda dropped to 1-3. The Red Lions were without their top players in the tournament with Zane Jalbuena and transferee Bryan Sajonia leading the way.

In the first game, Migs Oczon and Robi Nayve connived to help the Blazers improve to 4-2 in the preseason tourney as both guards dropped 19 points in the win. Benilde played sans Miggy Corteza and Will Gozum, who are nursing a quad and hand injury, respectively.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News