Knights a game away from Magic 4

It was another flattening shooting spree by the Perpetual Altas, but Louie Alas proved to be Letran’s knight in shining armor once again.

Alas scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead teardrop shot, to put season hosts Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights a game behind the University of Perpetual Help Altas with a 62-57 win against the current fourth place team in yesterday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association hoops action at the San Juan Arena.

“We just have to win games,” said Letran head coach Louie Alas, saying that the perennial final four contenders must assert its might in the “open race” for the Final Four.

The Knights in fact asserted its might in the opening canto, opening a 9-0 blast and limiting the Altas to a paltry two points in the first quarter, and 20 per cent field goal shooting in the first half.

However, Altas shooter Jett Vidal fired 16 points, including four triples, in the third quarter as the Altas gained the lead to end the quarter leading, 47-42. The graduating Alta led his team with a game-high 21 points.

Alas, fielded in by his coach and father despite having four fouls, sank a triple off the board to bring the fight back to the Knights, as Letran bigs Raymond Almazan and Jam Cortes played airtight inside defense, forcing the Altas to shoot bricks from outside.

The Knights sealed the game after Alas’ go-ahead basket, swishing four straight free throws to finish the game with a perfect 14-of-14 clip from the foul line.

The Altas are still at fourth place with a 7-4 record but the Knight are now at a game behind at 6-5.

Bombers escape Cards

Jett Vidal played splendidly anew but it was not enough against the Knights. (Vyn Radovan)

Earlier, the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers relied on the offensive steadiness of Ralph Monserat and defensive tenacity of John Lopez en route to a pulsating 63-60 win versus the Mapua Institute of Techology Cardinals.

Down six points midway in the fourth quarter, Monserat scored two consecutive baskets while reserve point guard Ivan Camasura scored the go-ahead basket for the Bombers with a triple at the last two minute mark.

Lopez then erased a potential go-ahead basket by Andy Estrella then swished two foul shots to seal the win for the Bombers. He led JRU with 17 points while Mapua were led by Mike Parala, who scored 15.

The Bombers are currently tied with the San Sebastian Stags at 8-3 while the Cardinals are relegated in a logjam for sixth to eight place with a 4-7 mark.

First game:

Jose Rizal (63) — Lopez 17, Matute 10, Carampil 8, Monserat 8, Mabulac 6, Almario 5, Camasura 3, Diapera 3, Dela Paz 2, Mendoza 1, Villarias 0, Muñez 0, Porter 0.

Mapua (60) — Parala 15, Braña 10, Nimes 9, J. Banal 7, Estrella 5, Ighalo 4, G. Banal 4, Chien 4, Stevens 2, Cantos 0.

Quarterscores: 20-21, 33-36, 52-51, 63-60.

Second game:

Letran (62) — Cruz 13, K. Alas 13, Lituania 11, Cortes 10, Racal 8, Almazan 4, Luib 3, Belorio 0, J. Alas 0, Pantin 0.

Perpetual (57) — Vidal 21, Omorogbe 12, Allen 7, Thompson 5, Paulino 5, Alano 5, Babayemi 2, Arboleda 0, Elopre 0, Jolangcob 0.

Quarterscores: 16-2, 31-19, 42-47, 62-57.