Rhenz Abando and Fran Yu came out as the knights in shining armor for Letran as the defending champion evaded the heavy upset axe from a fearless Lyceum side, 80-77, and gain a share of the top spot in the NCAA Season 97 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym on Easter Sunday, April 17.

Abando regained consciousness in the second half, unloading 11 of his 14-point total before Yu showed up when it mattered most as he drained the clutch mid-range jumper from the left wing with 22 seconds left to seal the Knights' fifth win in as many games, tying rival San Beda Red Lions atop the leaderboard.
Jeo Ambohot also had a solid outing of 13 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks while Yu finished with nine markers, seven dimes and five boards.
He also orchestrated an early fourth quarter run for the Knights, scoring the first basket of the period before assisting on their next three field goals – an Abando layup and a slam, and a booming trey from Allen Mina that gave them a 72-65 cushion.
The career games from rookie John Barba who exploded for 20 points and Omar Larupay who filled the stat sheet with 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, however, kept the Pirates within striking distance, 74-71, with 3:24 left in the final frame.
Abando then scored on drive but Larupay answered back on the other end. Paraiso nailed a huge triple just as the barker announced the final two minutes of the game. Renzo Navarro, however, retaliated with the trey of his own before Yu delivered the nail in the coffin.
Lyceum, which led by as many as 10 points, 46-36, in the first half, still had the chance to tie the game in its final possession but Letran’s defense held on and forced big man JM Bravo to take a top of the key three-pointer which did not hit the rim.
The Scores:
LETRAN 80 -- Abando 14, Ambohot 13, Yu 9, Paraiso 9, Fajarito 7, Reyson 7, Mina 6, Olivario 5, Caralipio 5, Javillonar 5, Ariar 0.
LYCEUM 77 -- Barba 20, Larupay 19, Navarro 10, Valdez 9, Cunanan 6, Remulla 5, Garro 3, Guadana 2, Umali 2, Bravo 1, Guinto 0, Gaviola 0.
Quarters: 20-24, 39-46, 62-65, 80-77.