Knights sweep Chiefs; Cards win

MANILA, Philippines - Kevin Alas bucked a fever to fire 17 points while Jam Cortes added 16 points as Letran clobbered Arellano U, 73-59, to solidify its hold of third spot in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Alas and Cortes combined in a big second quarter attack as the Knights turned a shaky 14-11 first quarter lead into a double-digit spread, 37-26, at the break before coasting to victory in the second half.

It was Letran’s fourth straight win and eighth overall against two losses as they inched closer to the unbeaten San Sebastian Stags (10-0) and the defending champion San Beda Red Lions (9-1).

“Kevin has been sick for two days but he still played well while Jam has been working as hard as ever,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

The Knights also swept the Chiefs for the first time in the latter’s three-year stint in the league after the two teams split their first four matches before this season.

Jerald Lapuz, a PBA rookie draft applicant, came through with 16 points and a game best 14 rebounds but the Chiefs, who closed out the first round with a 71-65 win over Perpetual Help last Aug. 12, failed to neutralize the Knights’ firepower and fell to 3-7.

In the other game, Mapua relied on Josan Nimes in regulation and then went to Allan Mangahas in overtime as it turned back St. Benilde, 94-90, to stay alive in the Final Four race.

Nimes scored 14 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter while Mangahas shot seven of his 23 points in the extra period as the Cardinals tied their victims at 4-6.

Carlo Lastimosa paced the Blazers with 23 points but sustained an ankle injury early in extension, hastening St. Benilde’s downfall.

Raymond Almazan, a 6-7 shot block artist who emerged the surprise No. 3 in the MVP race behind San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang after the first round, finished with four points, seven rebounds and three blocks for Letran

“I told him that even if he doesn’t score much,  I want him to focus on defense and finish the game with at least 10 rebounds but he fell short today (yesterday) and he owes me those rebounds,” said Alas referring to Almazan.

Alas said Alas, Cortes and Almazan will have to sustain their form for the Knights to have a crack at the crown against the fancied Stags and Lions.

“We know that San Sebastian and San Beda are the teams to beat but if we could play consistent from now on, I believe we have a good chance of beating them,” said Alas.