MANILA, Philippines—Sans star guard Kevin Alas, Letran hacked out a surprise 73-64 triumph over Far Eastern University Thursday in the 2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Arena in San Juan.
The Knights took control late in the fourth quarter and even held the Tamaraws, who had former UAAP MVP RR Garcia back in the tow, scoreless in the last three minutes of the game.
Guard Mark Cruz carried the Knights to a win close to the final four slot in the national championship with 25 points and four assists.
Cruz, along with Raymond Almazan who had 14 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks, helped snatch the lead from FEU with 2:41 left in the game.
RR Garcia, who is fresh from a stint in the 26th Southeast Asian Games, only finished with eight points while Terrence Romeo topscored for the ousted Tamaraws with 17 points.
The Knights will face the Stags, a rematch last NCAA season’s final four meeting, on November 30 to determine who goes on to the top four.
THE SCORES:
LETRAN, 73 – Cruz, 25; Almazan, 14; Belorio, 8; Espiritu, 8; Racal, 5; Lituania, 5; Pantin, 4; Cortes, 4; Gabawan, 0.
FEU, 64 – Romeo, 17; Tolomia, 11; Cruz, 9; Escoto 8; Garcia, 8; Exciminiano, 5; Knuttel, 2; Foronda, 2; Bringas, 2; Sentcheu, 0; Pogoy, 0; Mendoza, 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 14-20, 35-40, 48-57, 73-64.