Letran’s Rhenz Abando. NCAA/GMA PHOTO
Letran removed the final hurdle on its way to the Final Four while showing San Sebastian the door in a calculated 73-69 win in the NCAA Season 97 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Rhenz Abando was again at the forefront of the Knights’ charge, putting up solid figures of 18 points, nine rebounds, a steal and a lone block off the bench.
It was team captain Jeo Ambohot, however, who sealed the eighth straight victory of the unbeaten Knights with a free throw and a rebound off his own miss in the dying seconds that denied the Stags an opportunity to equalize.
JM Calma, who pulled his team within three with a deep jumper from the corner before Ambohot came to Letran’s rescue, had 22 points and 14 boards for the Stags, whose sixth defeat in the nine-game elimination round pushed them out of contention for a play-in spot.
Now armed with a twice-to-beat bonus in the semifinals, the Knights will wrap up the eliminations opposite their championship rivals the San Beda Red Lions on Friday.
The scores
LETRAN 73 — Abando 18, Sangalang 12, Ambohot 11, Paraiso 10, Caralipio 6, Olivario 5, Javillonar 4, Mina 4, Reyson 3, Yu 0, Fajarito 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 69 — Calma 22, Abarquez 9, Altamirano 8, Villapando 7, Are 6, Desoyo 5, Dela Cruz 5, Cosari 4, Shanoda 2, Calahat 1, Concha 0, Felebrico 0, Loristo 0, Re. Gabat 0.
Quarters: 12-14, 32-24, 55-44, 73-69.