George Diamante shines with double-double as Letran vents ire on Benilde-LSGH

Published March 3, 2024 6:53pm

Updated March 3, 2024 6:53pm

George Diamante shone the brightest in Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s 100-63 assault of College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills as the defending champions clinched a twice-to-beat playoff bonus in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Sunday.

The 6-foot-5 bruiser poured in a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds alongside four assists, two steals, and two blocks to help the Squires wrap up the elimination round at the second spot with a 7-2 card. 

The Greenies, on the other hand, closed out their campaign with a 3-6 record. 

It was all Letran from the get-go but LSGH was able to pull to within just seven points at the end of the first half, 42-35. 

The Allen Ricardo-helmed squad flaunted its depth come the second half with the likes of Alex Gazzingan, Timothy Cruz, and Roy Reyes conniving late in the third period as they enjoyed a 65-47 cushion before heading to the fourth. 

The usual suspects in Jovel Baliling and Titing Manalili then put the finishing kick before Diamante completed a one-handed dunk for a whopping 39-point advantage en route to the win. 

Baliling finished with 15 points behind a 4-of-8 shooting from deep while Gazzingan chipped in 10 markers as Letran secured a bug bounce back win following a 94-88 loss to top seed Perpetual last Friday. 

James Ison and Guillian Quines were the bright spots for LSGH, converting 14 and 13 points apiece. 

Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines University eked out an 88-85 win against Arellano University.

LPU finished with a 2-7 card, while Arellano capped its season with a win and eight losses.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News