Letran, Arellano stay in F4 hunt

Rey Nambatac. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

There was no way Rey Nambatac was leaving Letran with a stunning defeat.

Nambatac, who is set to turn pro late this month, bailed the Knights out with crucial baskets down the stretch for a thrilling 66-60 victory over the St. Benilde Blazers that forged a playoff for a Final Four berth in NCAA Season 93 basketball tournament on Tuesday.

The lefty guard finished with 18 points, including a three-point play with 20 seconds remaining that helped the Knights finish with a 9-9 record at the end of the elimination round.

“I have some unfinished business with Letran,” said Nambatac.

“I want to make the Final Four then the finals and hopefully get a championship again. I’m not thinking that this was my last game. I just went all out as soon as I entered the court.”

With Arellano beating Mapua, 81-64, earlier to also finish with a 9-9 record, the Chiefs and Knights will face off in a stepladder playoff for the last Final Four spot in the event that San Sebastian prevails over Perpetual Help this Thursday.

But a loss by the Stags will make the showdown between Arellano and Letran on Friday the decider for the last Final Four spot.