
By Nikole Javier
Kurt Reyson fired a career-high 31 points to jumpstart Letran's three-peat bid with a 101-97 overtime triumph over Jose Rizal University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 98 on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Reeling from the departure of Season 97 Rookie-MVP Rhenz Abando who is now in the Korean Basketball League, Reyson picked up the scoring cudgel for the Knights with a career outing that went with five assists and two steals.
King Caralipio had solid contributions of 14 points and 11 rebounds for the defending champion Letran, while Brent Paraiso and graduating Fran Yu added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Knights head coach Bonnie Tan was glad to see how Reyson responded to the challenge and took the responsibility to his heart to lead the squad to an impressive win.
“Kurt Reyson played a good game. Nine out of 14 (from the field), 'di ba hindi na pwersado ‘yong mga tira. Free throws niya seven of seven. Wala na akong masabi sa bata na ‘yon," Tan said.
"Going to the game, talagang blindfolded kami. Hindi namin alam kung paano pa manalo. Hindi namin alam kung sino pa 'yong first five namin. We're just blessed na-pull through namin 'to," the mentor added.
The third-year Reyson drilled a game-tying triple with five seconds left to force an extra period.
In overtime, the Knights almost blew away a six-point lead and had themselves on the back seat with a minute remaining.
Luckily, turnovers doomed the Heavy Bombers in the ensuing plays, with Yu sealing the game with clutch free throws in the waning moments.
Reyson himself couldn't believe his scoring display. “Nagulat na lang ako nakuha ko ‘yong bola, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip, tinira ko na talaga. Nabiyayaan, na-shoot naman,” said Reyson.
John Amores led JRU with 19 points and six rebounds, while Agem Miranda added 18 in a losing cause as the Bombers dropped to a 0-2 slate.
The Scores:
LETRAN 101 -- Reyson 31, Caralipio 14, Paraiso 13, Yu 12, Sangalang 9, Monje 9, Santos 6, Olivario 3, Go 2, Miclat 2, Ariar 0, Guarino 0.
JRU 97 -- Amores 19, Miranda 18, Celis 14, Dela Rosa 14, Guiab 10, Dionisio 7, Arenal 7, Medina 5, Sy 3, Delos Santos 0, Abaoag 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 49-41, 74-71, 89-89, 101-97.