Promise kept: Quinto powers Knights past Altas
Letran star Bong Quinto has been playing like a man among boys in the second round of NCAA Season 94. The do-it-all forward is also making good on his promise as Letran continues its relentless form heading into the Final Four.
“We just missed out on doing it against San Beda, but I told you we were going to beat every team we lost to in the first round,” said Quinto after finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds to power Letran past Perpetual Help, 82-80, Friday night at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Altas seemed headed for a repeat win over the Knights before Quinto combined with fellow graduating player JP Calvo for the go-ahead basket with 22 seconds remaining.
Quinto sent a couple of defenders flying with a pump fake before laying the ball in off Calvo’s steal. Perpetual’s Prince Eze missed on the next possession and teammate AJ Coronel also bungled a three at the buzzer, allowing the Knights to escape with the win.
“Coming into the playoffs, we just want to perfect our execution,” Letran coach Jeff Napa said. “It’s great to see the leaders in the team stepping up and carrying the team.”
The victory locked up the third seed for the Knights regardless of the result of their final game of the elimination round against St. Benilde.
The Knights and Altas battled through 12 lead changes and 10 deadlocks. But just like in the victory against Lyceum, Letran did not succumb to pressure with Quinto showing poise and composure in the stretch.
Despite the loss, the Altas already secured a Final Four berth, although the NCAA has reportedly opened up its investigation on Kim Aurin and Edgar Charcos, who allegedly did not get clearance from the league to play in a tournament while serving residency last season.
In other games, San Sebastian leaned on a career high 26 points from RK Ilagan as it overpowered Mapua, 86-64, for just its fifth win of the season. Jose Rizal U, looking to end the season on a positive note, ended its winless spell with an 81-78 nipping of EAC behind Jed Mendoza’s 26 points.
