NCAA: Knights demolish Heavy Bombers, 70-61

The Letran Knights are once again in the finals of the NCAA men's basketball championship after demolishing the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 70-61, in their semifinal match Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Knights, who hold the twice-to-beat advantage, were able to pull away in the payoff period after the Heavy Bombers had tried to keep pace. Rafael Jazul and Reymar Gutilban led the Knights' last-period blitzkrieg that put a 62-49 barrier against the Bombers. The last time the Bombers threatened the Knights was when they unleashed their own 8-2 blast that put the score at 64-57. But Andro Quinday connected with a fastbreak layup against Mark Cagoco to end the Bombers' rally. Quinday, however, was called for an unsportsmanlike foul when he kicked Cagoco in the head after that connection, giving the Bombers another chance to turn the game around. Cagoco made his free throws but failed in his layup in their next possession which ended the Bombers' rally. The Heavy Bombers, which ended the eliminations at third spot and defeated the Knights twice in the two-round elims, led at halftime, 30-28. The Bombers were even able to set up a 34-28 advantage at the start of the third period. But the last time they were in front was at 45-43 as a result of Jayson Nocom's two charities. Quinday then scored on a layup and Gutilban posted four straight points to put the Knights at 49-45. - GMANews.TV