NCAA 87: Alas' double-double lifts Letran past Lyceum

Kevin Alas scored a personal best 29 points and his second season-high 11 assists to lead Letran to an 88-74 win over Lyceum in the second round of the 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Alas conspired with older brother Kristoffer in a 10-0 run to help turn Letran's 64-56 edge to an 18-point bubble with six minutes and 36 seconds left. It was also the 19-year old Alas' second double-double performance this season. He tallied 24 points and 12 assists in Letran's 92-89 win over the same squad in the first round. "Medyo nahirapan akong mag-match-up kasi hindi yung the usual comibination ang nasa loob" said Letran coach Louie Alas. "And I have to give credit on their defense and hustle, kahit nagpapasok sila sabay-sabay ng apat na maliliit outrebounded pa rin nila kami lalo nung first half particularly at the offensive boards," he added. The younger Alas, on the other hand, was very thankful to his teammates for their trust and support for which he credited his impressive performance. Letran improved to an 11-2 win-loss–slate, just half a game behind second-running San Beda's 10-1 mark while dealing the Pirates their seventh loss in 13 outings to tie Mapua at fifth to sixth spots. The Pirates, who played minus injured big man Allan Santos, was led by Jhygruz Laude's 14 points, four rebounds and three assists while Gian Mallari and Floricel Guevarra added 13 and 12 markers each. In the juniors division, the Letran Squires and College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Greenhills remained tied for second place with similar 10-3 cards after beating separate foes. The Squires pummeled the Junior Pirates, 83-37, while the Junior Blazers thrashed the San Sebastian Staglets, 82-53. — JVP, GMA News