NCAA 87: Knights win 4th straight game, drub Chiefs

Kevin Alas was nursing a fever but it didn't show in Letran College's 73-59 win over Arellano University Wednesday in the 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. "Kevin's sick for two days now but that did not slow him down. He still played well," said Knights coach Louie Alas on his six-foot son, the younger of his two children playing for Letran. Alas scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, issued four assists and had one steal in 36 minutes of action as the Knights improved to 8-2 that strengthened their hold of the third spot behind San Sebastian's undefeated slate (10-0) and the 9-1 card of defending champion San Beda. Cortes backed up Alas with 16 markers and nine rebounds. It was Letran's first time to sweep Arellano this season since the Chiefs joined the NCAA in 2009. The Letran coach said he was pleased that his son played with that kind on intensity. "It was a good thing since my big men were ineffective, except for (Jam) Cortes." Raymond Almazan and Jonathan Belorio failed to find their usual game for Letran as they only combined for seven points and 16 rebounds. Alas, the league's assists and steals leader, and Jam Cortes led the Knights' second-quarter breakaway as they combined for 15 points to help turn a 14-11 lead into a 37-26 spread. Kevin Racal scored seven of his 11 points while Jun-jun Alas added five markers in the third to keep the Chiefs at bay. Burly forward Gerald Lapuz, a PBA draft aspirant, tallied 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead Arellano's losing cause as the Chiefs dropped to 3-7. - JVP, GMA News