NCAA: Letran escapes late Benilde rally for 2nd win

Letran Knights. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Letran survived a late uprising from St. Benilde, 56-52, to score back-to-back wins in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Jom Sollano topped the Knights with a near double-double of 16 points and nine rebounds, while JP Calvo got 11 markers and three assists.
Bong Quinto also had 11 points, five boards, and three dimes, while Rey Nambatac struggled from the floor and wound up with only eight markers, four assists, and three rebounds for Letran (2-1).
“Alam naman namin na babalik ang Benilde eh. It’s all about our defense kasi nung naglaro kami nung third, bumitaw kami sa sarili namin at kinalimutan namin na team kami. Luckily, ni-regroup nila yung sarili nila sa fourth and played defense again,” said coach Jeff Napa.
The Knights lost a 42-23 lead in the third quarter and allowed the Blazers to wage back and inch to as close as four, thanks to layups from Louie Pasamante.
Pasamante was called for an unsportsmanlike foul down the stretch but Sollano was unable to capitalize on the chance.

But the Knights found away to pad their lead as Quinto found Calvo in the paint for an easy drive that pushed his team up, 56-50 with 13.2 seconds left.
Clement Leutcheu led the still winless St. Benilde (0-2) with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Christian Fajarito had nine markers and five rebounds.

The Scores:

LETRAN 56 – Sollano 16, Calvo 11, Quinto 11, Nambatac 8, Apreku 4, Balanza 4, Balagasay 2, Bernabe 0, Dela Pena 0, Luib 0, Sario 0.
ST. BENILDE 52 – Leutcheu 11, Fajarito 9, Young 9, Dixon 8, Pasamante 7, Sta. Maria 6, Belgica 0, Castor 0, Domingo 0, Pajarillaga 0, Saavedra 0, San Juan 0

Quarters: 13-9, 29-20, 43-35, 56-52.