Letran escapes St. Benilde to keep final four hopes alive
By Maxine Louise Lagman
17 October 2017
Having the need to win the game, the Letran Knights fought gallantly to escape College of St. Benilde Blazers, 66-60, Tuesday to secure a playoff for the Final Four spot in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Letran will have to face the Arellano University for a do-or-die game on Friday, October 20, after tying with a 9-9 card. However, San Sebastian could also force a three-way tie if they win over Perpetual Help on Thursday, October 19.
“A win is a win, pero kailangan namin magtrabaho para paghandaan ang Arellano,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa.
The Knights started with a 20-11 lead, but was cut short coming into the second quarter as the Blazers made a run and end the first half knotted at 28-all.
Bong Quinto stepped up for Letran in the final frame as he knocked down a corner triple followed by Rey Nambatac’s basket in the final 18.1 ticks that helped the Knights take a 64-59 lead. JP Calvo then shot two freebies that capped off the match with a victory.
However, coach Napa was still disappointed and unsatisfied with how the Letran squad played the game.
“Hindi kami pwedeng maglaro nang ganito. Kailangan maglaro kami as a group,” lamented Napa. “Di ko alam kung ready silang maglaro today or what, pero it’s a good thing na may mga deserving na nag-step up at ayaw pang magbakasyon.”
Nambatac topped the Knights with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Calvo chipped in 16 markers, five boards and four dimes.
Jerrick Balanza added 13 points and three rebounds, while Jeo Ambohot added a double-double record of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
On the other hand, Clement Leutcheu led St. Benilde with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Eric Pili added 16 points and six boards in the losing effort.
ST. BENILDE 60 – Leutcheu 18, Pili 16, Sta. Maria 6, Castor 4, Dixon 4, Mercado 4, Domingo 3, San Juan 3, Velasco 2, Johnson 0, Naboa 0, Suarez 0, Young 0.
Quarters: 20-11, 28-28, 48-43, 66-60.
Follow the writer on Twitter: [social link=”https://twitter.com/meanxi” icon=”62218″]
