Martin San Diego | FCF

On the heels of a long layoff following a disappointing loss to Perpetual Help, Letran sought to bounce back in a big way. What better way to bounce back than netting the biggest fish of them all — defending champion and last year’s finals nemesis San Beda — In the first round’s marquee game.

The Knights downed a visibly sluggish SBC five, 74-67, to gain sole control of first place in the continuation of the NCAA Season 89 seniors basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In the duel of the giants, San Beda center Ola Adeogun won the one-on-one showdown with 27 points to go along with 15 rebounds and two blocks.

But his Letran counterpart Raymond Almazan, despite scoring 22 points with 11 rebounds and three blocks, got the last laugh and the win.

However, the biggest surprise of the match had been the coming out party of Ford Ruaya, who made timely baskets in the fourth period to keep the Red Lions at bay. The rookie from Agusan del Norte finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists,

In the first game, a shorthanded Arellano University five escaped with a close 67-64 victory over Jose Rizal University.

Sharing the scoring parade was the trio of Prince Caperal, Keith Agovida, and John Pinto, who finished with 12 points each. Fil-Canadian forward AJ Serjue added 10 points.

MORE PHOTOS: Facebook Gallery