Enrile back for Knights
Updated 11:27pm (Mla time) Aug 05, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A28 of the August 6, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
DEFENDING champion Letran tries to rebound from back-to-back losses when the Knights collide with the winless St. Benilde Blazers today in the NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Coliseum.
The Knights, with Ronjay Enrile back in their lineup after a one-game suspension, are heavily favored over the Blazers in their 4 p.m. clash.
San Sebastian hopes to get even with Jose Rizal in their 2 p.m. encounter. The Bombers stunned the Stags in their first-round meeting, 81-79, via a buzzer-beating triple by Wynsjohn Te.
Meanwhile, the race for the Most Valuable Player award produced surprising results at the end of the first round with two Blazers among the top three contenders.
St. Benilde center Ernie Sagad led the race with an average of 14.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3 assists, while point guard Paolo Orbeta ranked third with 18.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 3.9 apg.
Early favorites Enrile of Letran and Noy Javier of the leading University of Perpetual Help surprisingly finished second and 10th, respectively
Enrile finished with 14.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg, while Javier emerged as the league-leading scorer with a 21.4 average.
Rookie Gabriel Espinas of PCU topped the rebounding department with 11 rpg. Another rookie, Dean Apor of Perpetual, led in assists with 6.3 apg.
Reigning MVP Leo Najorda of San Sebastian took the fourth spot in the MVP race with averages of 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds.
Jasmine W. Payo