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.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
