MARK Cruz (left) of the Letran Knights tries to dribble past John Nieles of the Mapua Cardinals during yesterday’s NCAA game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Challenged yet again by a gung-ho foe, Letran pulled through this time to rise from last week’s stunning first loss.
Rey Nambatac proved steely in the clutch as the Knights rallied past Mapua, 80-77, to claim the No. 1 spot with an 8-1 record in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
“After that loss, we knew we had to win this game,” Letran coach Aldin Ayo said of his Knights, whose perfect run came to an end last week after an upset loss to the cellar-dwelling Emilio Aguinaldo College, 69-83.
“There was a lot of pressure, I couldn’t sleep coming into this game.”
Arellano earlier cruised to an 85-73 victory over St. Benilde to climb to a share of fourth at 5-3 on the penultimate day of eliminations.
Zach Nicholls came off the bench to lead the Chiefs with 19 points, while topnotch guard Jiovani Jalalon had 13 markers and 10 assists.
“Many delivered from our support group,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera.
Faced with another potential shocker, the Knights responded with Nambatac unleashing 14 of his 22 points in the last seven minutes that put the team back on top, 77-73, after trailing at 60-67.
“He had a sprain and I thought he wouldn’t get to play, but that’s just Rey Nambatac,” said Ayo.
Nambatac’s scoring explosion—highlighted by 11 straight points in the decisive run, nine coming from beyond the arc—also went with 10 rebounds and five steals.
Still within striking distance in the last 41 seconds, 77-80, the Cardinals blew their last two possessions with errors.
The loss, which pushed Mapua down to 4-5, was also a missed opportunity for the Cardinals to redeem themselves from last week’s loss where they blew an 18-point lead in the last three minutes against Jose Rizal University.
The scores:
First Game
LETRAN 80—Nambatac 22, Cruz 16, Balanza 11, Luib 10, Racal 9, Quinto 8, Apreku 2, Sollano 2, Calvo 0, Balagasay 0.
MAPUA 77—Oraeme 23, Biteng 15, Que 13, Serrano 8, Nieles 7, Menina 6, Aguirre 3, Raflores 2, Stevens 0, Villasenor 0, Brana 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 53-38, 60-59, 80-77
Second Game
ARELLANO 85—Nicholls 19, Jalalon 13, Salado 11, Gumaru 9, Holts 6, Ortega 6Capara 4, Cadavis 4, Zamira 4, Enriquez 3, Meca 2, Bangga 2, Tano 2, Ongolo 0, De Guzman 0.
ST. BENILDE 73—Grey 24, Saavedra 16, Domingo J. 15, Domingo S. 6, Ongteco 4, . Sta. Maria 4, Fajarito 3, Castor 1, Nayve 0, Deles 0, Young 0, San Juan 0.
Quarters: 30-17, 49-34, 74-48-85-73