NCAA: Red Lions tame Knights; Letran center Almazan resurfaces

The defending back-to-back NCAA champions, San Beda College Red Lions, played an inspired game, thwarting the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 65-43, for a share of first place after the first round of the 88th NCAA tournament, Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Arena. San Beda now boasts of a 7-2 record, tying themselves with the San Sebastian College Stags and the JRU Heavy Bombers. “We were all rewarded by the team’s proper hard work....We won again and that’s a great comeback win for us,” said SBC mentor Ronnie Magsanoc, referring to their 71-80 loss to the Stags in their last game. "I’m pretty sure they [Letran] just struggled with their shot selections.”   Forcing the Knights into low percentage shots was the San Beda defense, which held Letran under 50 points for the second time in three games, and a sub-par 28 percent shooting clip from the field. The Red Lions also bullied the Knights into mistakes, resulting in 13 turnover points for San Beda, versus just four for Letran. Fans, hoping for a grind-it-out battle came away disappointed due to the lopsided nature of the final result. “There is no intensity after halftime because they didn’t comeback in the third quarter. A good win for us but we were not expecting Letran will just roll over and give up,” said Justin Jay Cadayona, an alumnus from San Beda. “Itt was the defense that killed Letran.” “This is not Letran anymore. Before, we never give up but tonight we did,” said Robert Ramos, an alumnus from Letran who was student during the 80’s. “I’m hoping we will bounce back in the second round. Anything can still happen. Let’s keep the faith.” Veteran sniper Melo Lim drilled in four three-pointers, two in the first quarter then one each in the second and third periods, for 12 points. Center Ola Adeogun and forward Art Dela Cruz had 10 points apiece and a combined 11 rebounds for the Red Lions. “It was a good game for everybody,” said Lim. The host school Letran ended their first round campaign with a 4-5 record. Jam Cortez scored 12 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the Knights. Letran's marquee player Kevin Alas was shutdown the entire evening, managing just six points on 3-of-16 shooting, far away from his average of 21 markers per game. Almazan vows return Part of Letran's struggles this season stemmed from the mysterious disappearance of center Raymond Almazan, who was judged Most Improved last season. Almazan finally resurfaced though he did not play, watching instead from the stands with his cousin, PBA veteran Kerby Raymundo. “Tanggapin ko na lang kung anong role bigay sa akin ni coach”, said Raymond Almazan during halftime, in front of the media. An old fractured ankle and a viral infection had caused him to miss games.  He later admitted that he was not practicing, and had not formally spoken to Letran mentor Louie Alas, but the 6'7" big man reiterated his desire to suit up for the Knights in the second round.   “Alam naman niya na na-injure ako, pero di lang ako nagpaalam nang maayos," Almazan added. Almazan has only played two games for Letran in the first round, averaging six points, eight rebounds, and a block and a half in 19 minutes.  In Season 87, Almazan played an average of 22.4 minutes, norming 7.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.6 swats. - AMD, GMA News The scores: SBC 65 — Lim 12, Adeogun 10, Dela Cruz 10, Dela Rosa 8, Koga 7, Caram 5, Pascual J. 5, Pascual K. 5, Mendoza 3, Amer 0 CSJL 43 — Cortes 12, J. Alas 7, Lituania 7, K. Alas 6, Cruz 5, Gabawan 4, Luib 0, Cudal 0, Pantin 0 Quarter scoring: 14-10, 30-18, 49-32, 65-43 Inboundpass has been covering collegiate basketball for six years. For more NCAA stories and information, check out inboundpass.com and follow Inboundpass on Twitter at @inboundpass