NCAA: Letran escapes Lyceum for 7-0 start

Rey Nambatac. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Letran evaded a close call and extended its winning run to seven with an 83-78 triumph over a pesky Lyceum squad Tuesday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.

Rey Nambatac showed the way for the Knights with 19 points on a 2-of-5 shooting from threes to go with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Kevin Racal followed up his sensational game against Arellano with another commendable 19-point outing, alongside seven boards.

“The important thing is we won and the players’ composure was there,” said coach Aldin Ayo.

After erecting a 10-point edge, 79-69, on a Bong Quinto three off the glass with three minutes left to play, Lyceum made a late run with Jean Nguidjol slicing the deficit to as low as four, 82-78.

With a chance trim the lead further down in the final 18.1 seconds, Lyceum unfortunately turned the ball over with Quinto stealing the leather from Victor Nguidjol.

The Cameroonian was able to block Quinto’s fastbreak attempt, but the ball sailed out of bounds with 7.6 ticks remaining and Letran ran away with the victory.

“This team has suffered so much from the previous seasons for them to be complacent right now,” said Ayo of the squad’s undefeated run so far this season.

Mark Cruz went out of the game after getting elbowed on the nose by Allyn Malabanan in the second quarter. He returned late in the third and finished the game for Letran.

Nguidjol paced Lyceum (1-6) with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.

The Scores:

LETRAN 83 – Nambatac 19, Racal 19, Sollano 11, Quinto 9, Calvo 7, Luib 6, Cruz 5, Balanza 3, Balagasay 2, Publico 2, Apreku 0, Bernabe 0.
LYCEUM 78 – Nguidjol 22, Ayaay 14, Sunga 11, Gabayni 9, Baltazar 6, Bulawan 4, Alanes 3, Mbida 3, Soliman 2, Lacastesantos 2, Lugo 2, Malabanan 0, Taladua 0.

Quarters: 19-12, 34-35, 57-55, 83-78.