Raffy Dela Peña | FCF
You can’t go wrong if you have one of the top pro prospects in your varsity team.
This was what Raymond Almazan emphasized in the oldest collegiate league in the country as the 6’7″ beanpole scored, rebounded, and blocked shot after shot en route to another finals appearance for the second-seeded Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
The leading most valuable player (MVP) candidate of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament tallied 19 points, 23 rebounds, and nine blocks, enough for Letran to rout the inexperienced San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 85-57, in the opening Final Four game on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Almazan’s inside presence was enough for the Golden Stags to shoot a paltry 30 percent from within the three-point arc, as the Recto-based cagers were admittedly intimidated by his presence.
Remarkably, he was also a steady scorer as he scored a perfect 7-for-7 connection from close range.
“The mere presence of Almazan there is really intimidating, but this is a young team. I told them that this is not the best result for us but we will bounce back next season,” commented San Sebastian head coach Topex Robinson.
MORE: Red Lions rout Altas, book Finals repeat with Letran
Aside from Almazan, the shooters of Letran likewise peaked in the right time, as they scored 25 points in the third quarter off the streak shooting of John Tambeling, Mark Cruz, and Kevin Racal as they bloated a five-point first half lead to as much as 18 points in the third quarter.
Consecutive baskets from rookie Rey Nambatac and Mark Cruz, coupled by three blocks by Almazan further increased the lead for Letran in the fourth quarter.
“May go signal ang lahat from coach. Talagang binuhos namin ang lahat kasi ang target namin is to win the championship,” Almazan said about his team’s performance.
For coach Caloy Garcia’s part, he attributed the win to their team defense, which focused on stopping Stags main scorers CJ Perez and Jamil Ortuoste. Perez scored only 11 points while erstwhile league-leading scorer Ortuoste was limited to 10 points.
“I just reminded the boys to play good defense and our offense will peak from that,” he said.
The Knights, playing their first season after the tenure of long-time coach Louie Alas and prolific scorer Kevin Alas, are waiting for the winner in the Final Four match-up between San Beda College and University of Perpetual Help.
MORE: Red Lions rout Altas, book Finals repeat with Letran
