Knights bounce back

Bonbon Batiller, Larry Muyang and Jeo Ambohot carried the fight for the Knights. #NCAA95 #LetranbeatsArellano

LARRY Muyang tows Letran back to the winning track. (John David Cubangbang)

Letran College pulled off a crucial win after drubbing Arellano University, 97-84, to snap a two-game slide in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

Bonbon Batiller, Larry Muyang and Jeo Ambohot carried the fight for the Knights, who trailed 46-49 after the first two periods before unleashing a strong second half performance to improve their win-loss record to 10-6.

“It was hard to bounce back after those back-to-back losses,” Letran head coach Bonnie Tan said. “Bonbon Batiller really stepped up today.”

The former University of the East guard led the Knights with 18 points and four assists while Muyang and Ambohot added 15 markers each aside from combing for 11 rebounds.

“It’s not easy to be hard on my players, especially when you have three games in one week with so little preparation. Losing two in a row was a downer. We’re not thinking of the No. 2 spot anymore,” Tan said.

“Our only target now is to make it to the Final Four. We’re just thinking on how to win our last two games and gain back our momentum,” he added.

Kent Salado anchored a 17-6 run for Arellano to take a three-point lead entering the break but the Knights unloaded a 13-0 counter-attack in the third canto capped by Balanza’s two free throws to take a 69-56 lead with 3:27 left in the period.

Letran stretched its lead to 82-66 entering the final canto and the Knights were never threatened from there as they move closer for a semifinals berth.

Justin Arana finished with 19 points to lead the season hosts while Salado dropped 18 markers for the Chiefs, who dropped to 4-11 and are now on the brink of elimination for the Final Four race.