LETRAN, drawing a superb effort from Raymond Almazan, repulsed San Sebastian, 75-68, last night to move closer to the No. 1 seed in the semifinals of the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Almazan tallied 20 points on top of 15 rebounds and three blocks as the Knights improved to 14-3 that boosted them to the solo lead with a game remaining in their elimination-round schedule.
Letran faces rival San Beda on Oct. 21 in a game that could determine which team claims the No. 1 seeding in the Final Four.
With the Knights protecting a three-point lead, Almazan put the final nail on the Stags’ coffin with an emphatic left-handed slam with 21 seconds remaining for a 73-68 advantage.
The Stags remained in fourth spot after dropping to 9-7, just a game ahead of Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Earlier, Dexter Zamora beat the buzzer with a teardrop shot as Lyceum nipped Jose Rizal U, 73-72, in another dramatic win.
Already out of the running for a Final Four spot, the Pirates relied on their unforgiving defense before turning to Zamora in the final period to secure their sixth win in 16 games.
Zamora scored all his 10 points in the fourth quarter, capping his heroics with the decisive shot over the outstretched arms of Jordan Dela Paz as time expired.
“I just wanted to finish strong,” said Zamora. “It’s as if God was directing me when I took the shot.”
Lyceum fell victim to a buzzer-beating shot against Arellano two weeks ago and coach Bonnie Tan said he felt a load taken off his chest when Zamora’s shot went in.
It was another pulsating victory by the Pirates, who earned a reputation as a giant killer this season, following upset wins over the Top 4 teams in the standings.
The loss proved fatal for the Bombers’ Final Four hopes as they also dropped to 6-10, leaving San Sebastian and Emilio Aguinaldo College to fight for the last spot in the semifinals.
The scores:
First Game
LYCEUM 73—Ko 13, Mbomiko 12, Zamora 10, Mendoza 8, Baltazar 8, Ambohot 8, Taladua 7, Francisco 5, Lesmoras 2, Azores 0, Soliman 0, Evangelista 0.
JRU 72—Mabulac 17, Benavides 16, Paniamogan 14, Abanto 10, Juanico 5, Lasquety 4, Dela Paz 4, Salaveria 2, Pontejos 0, Balagtas 0, Sanchez 0.
Quarters: 20-12, 39-31, 56-48, 73-72
Second Game
LETRAN 75—Almazan 20, Cruz 16, Racal 14, Ruaya 9, Belorio 6, Buenaflor 3, Nambatac 2, Gabawan 1, Castro 0, Po 0, Luib 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 68—Dela Cruz 21, Perez 16, Guinto 10, Ortuoste 9, Tano 6, Trinidad 4, Balucanag 2, Rebollos 0, De Vera 0, Gusi 0, Aquino 0.
Quarters: 20-13, 30-31, 55-52, 75-68