Abando drops 24 as Letran downs Perpetual (Sabong News)
Author
Reynald I. Magallon
Date
APRIL 03 2022
Letran rode a third quarter explosion from Rhenz Abando to beat Perpetual Help, 68-57, and remain perfect through three games in the NCAA Season 97 senior men’s basketball tournament Sunday, April 3 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
The Knights broke the game wide open after the break as Abando and Louie Sangalang conspired on a blistering 19-4 surge that turned a close 28-23 affair at the half into a 20-point advantage which they protected en route to a convincing win and a perfect 3-0 start.
Abando unleashed 11 of his 24 points during that telling run, even capping it with a booming triple and a three-point play off the fastbreak to help Letran pull away for good. He also had five rebounds, four assists, and three steals
Sangalang and Allen Mina provided support for Letran, chipping in with 10 points apiece.
“Ako ang mindset lang namin focus lang kami sa game and every game dapat maglaro kami na parang championship,” said Abando who surpassed his NCAA career-high of 19 points which he scored in Letran’s 67-63 victory over College of St. Benilde last week.
“Di na kami makakabawi kapag natalo kami so dapat ibigay na namin yung best na namin sa every game,” he added.
Jeff Egan paced the Altas with 15 points while Kim Aurin added 12 markers.
Noticeably missing in action for Perpetual was Jielo Razon who, after exploding for career-high 22 points in their 63-58 loss to San Sebastian on Friday, struggled against the tough Letran defense as he went scoreless in 20 minutes of action in a forgettable 0-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Altas actually had a solid start in the game as they embarked to an early 8-2 lead in the first quarter. The complexion of the game however changed when Abando checked in allowing the Knights to recover and even take a 13-10 lead at the end of the opening frame.
Perpetual managed to hang around Letran the rest of the first half before Abando opened the second half with five straight points to trigger the back-breaking run.
The scores:
Letran 68 — Abando 24, Sangalang 10, Mina 10, Caralipio 6, Fajarito 5, Ambohot 4, Paraiso 4, Yu 2, Olivario 2, Reyson 1, Guarino 0, Tolentino 0, Javillonar 0.
Perpetual 57 — Egan 15, Aurin 12, Omega 8, Nunez 6, Barcuma 5, Abis 4, Ferreras 4, Sevilla 2, Boral 1, Razon 0, Martel 0, Cuevas 0, Pagaran 0.
Quarters: 13-10, 28-23, 54-36, 68-57
