INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—The Letran College Knights closed out another game like its season depended on it. Sooner or later, the San Sebastian College Stags would need to play that way, too, to salvage its season.

Dino Daa came up with an overpowering performance and Alvyn Cabonce repaid coach Louie Alas’ trust with some clutch fourth-quarter baskets as the Knights repulsed the Stags, 71-67, Wednesday to stay on top of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, with Mark Cagoco hitting 21 points built on five triples, evened up its card to 2-2 by dumping the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 74-57, in the last game of the day.

The 6-foot-3 senior Daa reset a personal season-high by pumping in 26 points on top of 17 rebounds to power the Knights to a 4-0 record.

“We expected a close game and that was what San Sebastian gave us,” Alas said.

Daa scored on a post-up move to make it 66-59 with 1:33 left, before responding to Jim Viray’s jumper at the other end with another strong lay-up with 34.7 seconds remaining to fend off the Stags, who seized a 22-13 advantage at the end of the first period.

Cabonce, one of five Letran players leaving after the season, came through with 14 points, including six straight after the Stags closed in at 56-58 with more than five minutes left.

“I told him (Cabonce) he was due for a big game,” said Alas.

San Sebastian dropped to a tie at last place with Perpetual Help and Philippine Christian University at 1-4.

The Bombers broke away from a 38-all stalemate early in the third quarter by turning to veterans James Sena and Cagoco, who combined for 11 points to allow JRU to open a 55-41 spread.

Earlier, the defending champion San Sebastian Staglets, powered by Arvie Bringas’ 17 points, kept their immaculate record intact with a 79-70 triumph over Letran, their fifth win in as many games.

The scores:

First Game (Seniors)
LETRAN 71—Daa 26, Cabonce 14, Jazul 11, Melegrito 4, Foronda 4, Dangcal 3, Guevarra 3, Gutilban 3, Belencion 2, Del Rosario 1, Cortez 0, Ranises 0, Latonio 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 67—Aquino 13, Saquillo 12, Viray 10, Najorda 10, Ballesteros 7, Raymundo 4, Maconicido 4, Semira 3, Delgado 2, Bulawan 2, Del Rio 0.
Quarters: 13-22, 33-30, 48-45, 72-67

Second Game (Seniors)
JRU 74—Cagoco 21, Sena 14, Nocom 9, Wilson 7, Hayes 7, Bulangis 6, Matute 4, Pradas 3, Almario 2, Njei 1, Montemayor 0, Apinan 0, Kabigting 0.
PERPETUAL 57—Kong M. 12, Kong J. 11, Salanga 10, Reyes 8, Ynion 6, Hainga 4, Dysam 3, Sicat 2, Balboa 1, Mejos 0, Galabin 0, Petilos 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 38-33, 58-44, 74-57