Lions, Knights sustain romps

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda and Letran toyed with their respective foes yesterday to occupy the top two spots in Group B of the NCAA Season 101 seniors’ basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Lions devoured the San Sebastian Stags with a 62-50 victory that kept them comfortably at the helm with a 6-1 record while the Knights decimated the Arellano U Chiefs, 83-65, to move up to solo No. 2 in the same bracket with a 5-3 mark.

Rookie sensation Janti Miller dished out his highest scoring effort yet in the grand old league with 24 points that went with six assists as he kept the fearsome San Beda machine running.

“I do a lot of meditation to get ready for this game but I had to stay locked-in, composed and humble even after this game,” said the athletic neophyte, who was discovered playing in the Fil-Am Nation league.

Equally high-leaping Jomel Puno provided some boost and finished with 10 points and a season-best 17 rebounds.

The Stags dropped to 1-7.

For the Knights, they were just determined to extend their winning streak to five after starting the season with three straight excruciating losses.

They’re now at 5-3.

“We have that discipline now in trying to get better and win as many as possible with our goal to be in the top two,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.

The Chiefs stumbled to 3-5.