Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Letran personified what the next man up creed is all about on Tuesday.
After one of its key players in Jeo Ambohot went down with an injury against San Sebastian, the Knights did not see it as a setback.
It was a moment for them to come together and rally behind their fallen knight.
READ: Letran withstands San Sebastian in OT
“It was sad to see Jeo go down. When he went out I just thought I needed to double my effort because he’s a big part of our team,” said star guard Rey Nambatac.
Nambatac delivered 23 points and 14 rebounds, his fourth straight double-double, to lead Letran over San Sebastian in overtime for its fourth consecutive win.
Nambatac also got plenty of help with JP Calvo and Jerrick Balanza stepping up.
Calvo wound up with 12 points, including a pair of go-ahead freebies in extra time, eight assists and a crucial steal as he and Balanza came up big in the endgame.
Balanza blocked a last-second shot by Stags forward Michael Calisaan at the end of regulation before sinking the game-sealing free throws with 26.9 seconds left in OT.
“I just really wanted to win for Jeo,” Calvo said in Filipino.
Ambohot was having quite a game with 11 points and eight rebounds before he sustained a right wrist injury following a nasty spill at the 5:48 mark of the third period.
He had to be taken to the hospital right away to have his wrist, which was believed to be dislocated.
“Hoping for the best for Jeo. Rest assured that kid will not give up and whatever the result, he will be with us,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa of Ambohot.