NCAA: Letran frustrates Arellano to share top spot with San Beda

Mark Cruz tows the Knights to an all-important win. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Letran used a strong finish to score a 87-81 come-from-behind victory over Arellano Friday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.

Down by 11, 76-65, with 5:45 left in the fourth, the fired up Knights went on a 22-5 windup to frustrate the skidding Chiefs.

The win improved Letran to 12-4, tied with San Beda at the top of the standings, and assured the Knights of at least a playoff for the final four.

Rey Nambatac paced Letran with 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

“Naisip ko na sa past games, mababa yung laro ko. Pero di ako nawalan ng kumpyansa lalo na dito sa game na ‘to which is very important,” said Nambatac.
(In the past games, my game was really down. But I didn’t lose confidence more so for this game which was very important for us.)

His backcourt mate Mark Cruz also sizzled with 20 markers, 12 coming in the fourth, to go with four boards and four dimes.

Kevin Racal also got 17 points and nine rebounds, as Jomari Sollano had a double-double with 10 markers and 11 boards.

Dioncee Holts led Arellano with 16 points and seven boards as the Chiefs fell to a three-way tie at the fourth spot at 10-6.

It was a forgettable game for Jiovani Jalalon, who went 5-of-15 from the field to finish with 14 markers, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

The Scores:

LETRAN 87 – Nambatac 21, Cruz 20, Racal 17, Sollano 10, Calvo 9, Publico 4, Apreku 3, Luib 2, Balagasay 1, Balanza 0, Gedaria 0, Quinto 0.
ARELLANO 81 – Holts 16, Jalalon 14, Enriquez 14, Zamora 12, Meca 8, Nicholls 6, Gumaru 5, Bangga 2, Salado 2, Cadavis 2, Capara 0, Ortega 0.

Quarters: 13-21, 38-46, 63-69, 87-81.