Knights hang tough

We limited (Allyn) Bulanadi, but we didn’t stop Ilagan.

Letran College survived the 36-point explosion of RK Ilagan and held on for an 85-80 win in their knockout stepladder phase of Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) last night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Knights were in full control and even led, 69-52, when Ilagan waxed hot in the final period and cut Letran’s lead to 80-81 with a three-pointer with 1:40 remaining.

Bonbon Batiller dished a perfect pass to King Caralipio to give the Knights an 83-80 cushion and after the Stags came up empty in their next play, Jerrick Balanza had the chance to ice the game with two free throws.

But the graduating forward muffed both charities and luckily for Letran, Fran Yu was there to grab the huge offensive rebound and send the Knights to another do-or-die match against Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday.

“We limited (Allyn) Bulanadi, but we didn’t stop Ilagan,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan, whose wards held down Bulanadi to a quiet 15-point output.

Balanza led the Knights with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists while Batiller added 14 points, four assists and three boards.

In the Final Four of the juniors division, San Beda University clinched the first finals seat after outlasting College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Greenhills, 82-79.

Yukien Andrade led the Red Cubs’ balanced scoring with 23 points and 10 rebounds, Rhayyan Amsali added 12 markers while Justin Sanchez and Prince Alao each had 10 points apiece.

In the other semis match, San Sebastian forced a knockout match after beating the seeded Lyceum University of the Philippines, 84-75, behind the double-double performance from Josel Barroga.

Barroga led the Staglets with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Milo Janao and Nikko Aguilar combined for 30 markers to stay alive in the tournament.

From a 42-33 halftime lead, San Sebastian stretched its lead to 60-44 on Nikko Aguilar’s triple with 1:50 left in the third period.

The Junior Pirates unloaded a 12-0 run to cut the Staglets lead to 81-73 but time was not on their side as San Sebastian negated the twice-to-beat advantage of Lyceum.

John Barba finished with24 points and seven assists to lead the Junior Pirates.