RAYMUND Almazan showed exactly why he was picked third in the recent PBA draft as he flirted with a triple-double in leading the Letran Knights to an 85-58 rout of the San Sebastian Stags in the Final Four of the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Almazan, a 6-foot-7 center who was selected by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, poured in 19 points on top of grabbing 23 rebounds and swatting away nine shots, in an incredible performance that understated his status as a potential star in the pro ranks. Almazan was also perfect from the two-point area, making seven shots.
More importantly, the win placed the Knights in the best-of-three finals for the second straight year as they try to redeem themselves after getting beaten by the San Beda Red Lions last season.
Playing opposite the Knights in the finals will be none other than their blood rivals and defending champions San Beda Red Lions, who refused to be rattled by the controversy surrounding reserve guard Ryusei Koga in beating the Perpetual Help Altas, 70-51.
Koga was held out of the game yesterday as he is currently at the center of a controversy amidst allegations that he played in another tournament while the NCAA was still ongoing.
Ola Adeogun paced the Red Lions with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds while Arthur dela Cruz had the same number of points. This marks the eighth straight year that the Red Lions have made the finals. They are gunning for their seventh title in the said stretch.
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