Mark Cruz. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
And Letran’s House of Chaos withstood its toughest challenge yet.
Down 13 in the fourth, the Knights unloaded a tremendous comeback and pulled a come-from-behind 82-74 victory over San Sebastian on Tuesday at San Juan Arena to stay unbeaten in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament.
After Jason David helped the Stags erect a 66-53 lead with 8:54 left in the game, Mark Cruz captained the fightback for Letran and drilled four treys in the payoff period, none bigger than his go-ahead four-point play to give his team a 77-76 lead with 55.1 seconds remaining.
Rey Nambatac then iced the game after firing a big three and nailing two charities with a minute to go to put the game away for the Knights.
Trailing most of the match, the Knights outscored San Sebastian, 30-14 in the final quarter.
“Talagang napunta kami sa laro ng San Sebastian. Kinailangan namin silang dalhin sa game namin. Tinry namin bumalik, ginawa namin yung best namin at yung puso andun,” said Cruz, who finished the game with 29 points on a 6-of-15 shooting from threes, to go with seven steals and five assists.
(We really got to San Sebastian’s game. We had to bring them to our game. We had to comeback, we did our best, and our hearts were there.)
Letran reinstated its place at the top of the standings with a 4-0 slate, its best start since 2008.
Nambatac helped the Knights’ cause with 20 markers and four dimes, while Jomari Sollano had 13 points.
Jamil Ortuoste led the Stags (1-3) with 25 points and six rebounds, while Mike Calisaan chimed in 16 markers and 13 rebounds. CFC
The Scores:
LETRAN 82 – Cruz 29, Nambatac 20, Sollano 13, Quinto 9, Racal 7, Luib 2, Publico 2, Apreku 0, Calvo 0, Balagasay 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 76 – Ortuoste 25, Calisaan 16, Fabian 11, Coatelo 10, Davis 6, Guinto 4, Sibal 2, Capobres 2, Santos 0, Pretta 0, Vera 0.
Quarters: 27-23, 39-45, 52-62, 82-76.