THE defending champion Diliman College Blue Dragons earned another title after repulsing the Letran Knights, 103-86, recently in the senior division finals of 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament.
Kevine Gandjeto, a 6’4” forward from Benin, put in a game-high 20 points for the Blue Dragons, who claimed their third tournament honors at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda University-Manila campus in Mendiola.
Joseph Brutas added 19 points, while JM Salazar chipped in 15 points for the Blue Dragons, who finished unbeaten after nine games.
In the junior division finals, John Matthew Bravo and Ken Laquibla powered the First City Providential College Eagles of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to a 77-74 win over the La Consolacion College-Manila Baby Blue Royals.
Bravo and Laquibla hit 19 points for the Eagles, who drew support and cheers from their school president Leo Vinci Simon during the game.
Salazar chipped in nine points in the first period as the Blue Dragons took charge, 31-24.
Gandjeto led a 13-0 blast in the second period, allowing the Blue Dragons to move away, 53-34.
A triple from Brutas at the start of the last period allowed the Blue Dragons to enjoy a 25-point spread, 85-60, in the remaining 9:24.
“Thank God, we were blessed with enough endurance to win this one, and players who are hungry to win and are willing to play hard every game,” Rensy Bajar.
So far, the Dragons have won three tournament championships since taking the Collegiate Open honors and the Division 2 plum last year.
The Knights, behind King Caralipio and Jap Pambid with 16 and 13 points, made it to the finals after putting away the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa Marshals, 94-80.