NCAA: Letran scrapes past EAC for first win

Rey Nambatac. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Letran dug deep and pulled off a come-from-behind 83-80 squeaker over Emilio Aguinaldo College to gain its first victory in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Jerrick Balanza delivered the game-saving block on Jethro Mendoza’s attempt in the waning seconds of the game to halt the Generals’ late-game rally and secure the Knights’ breakthrough win for the season.

Jeo Ambohot topped Letran with 15 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Rey Nambatac chipped in 14 markers, nine boards, five assists, and three steals.

Bong Quinto also added 14 points, seven rebounds, and five dimes, Jeremiah Taladua got 14 markers and six boards, and Balanza drained all of his eight points in the payoff period for the Knights.

“What happened to us in the first game almost happened again,” noted Letran coach Jeff Napa. “Luckily, the boys woke up in our last huddle and committed to do the right thing.”

The win was already Letran’s for the taking, leading 74-65 with 2:38 to play, but EAC refused to sink, with Jerome Garcia drilling back-to-back treys in the final minute to cut the deficit to just three, 83-80, with 6.5 seconds left to play.

The Knights, though, would turn the ball over in the ensuing possession to give the Generals one last chance, but Francis Munsayac failed to find the scorching Garcia and handed the ball to Mendoza for the failed game-tying trey.

Down 26-9 to start the game, Letran straightened up its act to close the gap in the second period, before Nambatac finally handed his side its first lead with a three, 54-52, at the 2:54 mark of the third quarter.

“Everyone was so overeager, but when we reminded them, we regrouped and I’m happy that we’re able to adjust in the second quarter and we got back because of our defense,” said Napa.

Munsayac paced EAC (1-1) with 22 points, three steals, and two assists, while Sidney Onwubere had 20 markers, 17 boards, two assists, and two rejections.

The Scores:

LETRAN 83 – Ambohot 15, Nambatac 14, Quinto 14, Taladua 14, Calvo 9, Balanza 8, Pamulaklakin 4, Balagasay 3, Vacaro 2, Gedaria 0, Bernabe 0.

EAC 80 – Munsayac 22, Onwubere 20, Garcia 13, Bautista 11, Laminou 7, J. Mendoza 3, Pascua 2, Guzman 2, Diego 0, I. Mendoza 0, Corilla 0, Neri 0.

Quarters: 12-28, 41-43, 58-54, 83-80.