The Letran Knights showed the Arellano Chiefs why they are the team to beat in the 97th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The defending champion Knights flaunted their bench depth and sizzled with their outside shooting in the closing minutes of the third and the first five minutes of the last period to put away the Chiefs, 96-67, Wednesday at the La Salle Greenhills gymnasium.
Team skipper Jeo Ambohot showed the way for the Knights with a career-high 20 points as Letran grabbed its second straight win.
“We always remind our players that we are the defending champions. But that was two years ago. This time, we can’t be complacent,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan.
Not satisfied with their 66-51 lead lead on a half-court triple by Rhenz Abando at the end of the third, the Knights widened their edge to 26 points midway in the fourth, after Ambohot, Abando and Tommy Olivario strung up four triples.
With five minutes left, the Knights established an unreachable, 84-58 spread.
John Carandang and Kalen Doromal knocked in 11 points each for the Chiefs, who missed big man Justine Arana, out with an ACL injury in their opening game last Sunday.