NCAA: Letran exacts revenge, eliminates Mapua

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Letran exacted its revenge and eliminated Mapua with an 88-79 beatdown Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Rey Nambatac came out like a house on fire, uncorking 17 of his 25 points in the first half and  to go with eight rebounds as the Knights jumped to a 47-25 halftime advantage and never looked back.

Bong Quinto added 22 markers, eight boards, and three assists, while Jerrick Balanza got 14 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two dimes.

Letran got back at Mapua after losing its first round encounter, 78-75, last July 11 courtesy of an Andoy Estrella three-pointer for the Cardinals’ lone victory of the season.

“We had so much drama in the first round. But now, everybody picked up what’s missing and the players who went soul searching and that’s why we’re playing better. We’re doing the things that we need to get the wins this second round,” said coach Jeff Napa.

The outspoken mentor credited the Knights’ tenacious defense that allowed them to seize control from the get-go and hold lead until the final buzzer.

“We had a great defense. We executed our gameplan and that’s why the offense was easy for us,” Napa said. “Credit to the boys. They really worked hard for this and it’s a good game for us going to Tuesday’s game against San Sebastian.”

Letran rose to joint third place with JRU with their identical 7-6 records.

Mapua still tried to wage a late fightback, with Christian Buñag trimming the lead down to seven, 79-72, but JP Calvo completed an and-one with 59.3 ticks remaining to douse the uprising.

Buñag topped Mapua (1-12) with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Leo Gabo had 15 markers and five boards in the Cardinals’ 11th straight defeat to boot them out of the Final Four race.

The Scores:

LETRAN 88 – Nambatac 25, Quinto 22, Balanza 14, Calvo 13, Balagasay 6, Taladua 5, Mandreza 2, Vacaro 1, Gedaria 0, Bernabe 0, Pamulaklakin 0, Pascual 0.

MAPUA 79 – Bunag 23, Gabo 15, Nieles 9, Estrella 9, Aguirre 8, Raflores 8, Victoria 4, Pelayo 3, Orquina 0.

Quarters: 21-18, 47-25, 66-50, 88-79.