LETRAN KNIGHTS EARN FIRST VICTORY OVER EAC GENERALS
By Maxine Louise Lagman
17 July 2017
Letran Knights stunned the Emilio Aguinaldo College after a late game run and secured its first win in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament, 83-80, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
It was a tough start for Letran after being down 26-9 in the first quarter, 12-28. The Generals looked to claim the win easily, but the Knights closed in the gap by the end of the first half, 41-43.
“Yung nangari nung first game namin, muntik na namang maulit. Luckily, nagising yung mga bata nung last huddle namin at nag-commit na gumawa ng tama,” said Letran Coach Jeff Napa.
Rey Nambatac turned the game around and boosted Letran with a trey in the third period, 54-52. Letran Knights led in the last quarter, 74-65 with 2:38 minutes remaining when Generals’ Jerome Garcia shot back-to-back treys in the final minute cutting Letran’s lead to three, 83-80.
6.5 seconds left, the Generals could have tied the game, but Jethro Mendoza’s attempt for a three was declined by the game-saving block of Jerrick Balanza.
Jeo Ambohot had led the Knights with 15 markers, seven rebounds and two blocks while Nambatac had 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Bong Quinto also had 14 points and added seven rebounds. Jeremiah Taladua added another 14 with six rebounds.
Francic Munsayac paced the Generals with 22 points, while Sidney Onwubere had a double-double 20 points and 17 rebounds.
Letran will face JRU Heavy Bombers on Friday, July 21, while EAC Generals will face the Mapua Cardinals on Tuesday, July 25.
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