NAMBATAC DELIVERS IN CLUTCH AS LETRAN BEATS ARELLANO
By Maxine Louise Lagman
1 August 2017
Rey Nambatac fired up late in the last quarter to pull the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights to victory over the Arellano University Chiefs, 82-75, Tuesday at the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Cagayan de Oro native scored 13 of his 15 points in the final quarter to boost the Knights and gave Letran a 72-65 lead after a stunning three-point play along with JeoAmbohot with 3:50 left on the clock.
Kent Salado, along with Lervin Flores, made multiple baskets to cut Letran’s lead to five, 77-72 with only 56.5 seconds left, but team captain Nambatac followed it up with perfect free throw shots and cap off the game after dismissing a tough shot by Salado.
“Finally nakuha na rin namin yung panalo after a two-game losing streak,” said Coach Jeff Napa. “Hopefully magandang bwelo ‘to para sa amin for our next game.”
Nambatac finished with a double-double record of 15 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Ambohot also stepped up for the squad with another double-double record of 15 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks.
Jeremiah Taladua added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Napa said he was happy with the team’s performance, given that other players also started to step up in the game following the lead of team captain Nambatac, and hopes to see the same grind in their upcoming games.
Chiefs’ Flores finished with his best performance in the season so far, 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, while Salado was limited to 15 points.
Letran Knights will play against the St. Benilde Blazers on their homecourt on Thursday, while Arellano Chiefs will face the EAC Generals on Tuesday, August 8.
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