NCAA: Letran still on top after beating Perpetual

Rey Nambatac. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

In the match of the undefeated teams, Letran roughhoused Perpetual, 79-71, to lay claim on NCAA’s top spot with the only undefeated record in the seniors tournament Thursday at San Juan Arena.

It was another methodical Letran victory as it improved to 5-0 with the Knights dictating the tempo in the second half and putting the Altas to their mercy.

Letran ran out of the gates in the third quarter, immediately opening up a 43-34 lead at the 9:02 mark.

Knights head coach Aldin Ayo said they can never be complacent and always play with an underdog mentality even though they lead the league early in the tournament.

“We are the underdogs, there’s no room for complacency,” Ayo said. “There are still lapses on defense but in the offense, they are basketball players, I let them have fun on that side of the floor.”

Perpetual trimmed the Letran lead to single digits, 71-63, when Prince Eze scored on a putback in the fourth quarter but Mark Cruz responded with a three-pointer from the top of the key giving the Knights a 74-63 lead with 3:28 remaining.

Ayo said his team’s 5-0 start is exactly where he wants his team to be, but is quick to downplay the feat.

“We are just in the right spot, in terms of achievement we haven’t achieved anything,” Ayo said as the Knights sent the Altas to a 4-1 tie with San Beda.

Cruz and Rey Nambatac had 15 points apiece for Letran while transferee had 14 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.

Earl Thompson had to carry much of the load for the Altas as he finished with 22 points nine boards, six assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Eze had a near double-double of 10 points and nine boards to go along four blocks.

Bright Akhuetie, who was averaging 24 points and seven rebounds a game, was silenced to seven points and six boards. CFC