The Wangs Basketball-Letran Couriers outsteadied the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas in the end game, scoring the 88-83 triumph to nab back-to-back victories, Thursday afternoon at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Rey Publico scored six of the Couriers’ final 10 points as they held off the Altas’ fightback late to improve to joint second place at 4-2.
He finished with 17 points and five rebounds, while Bong Quinto contributed 14 markers, eight boards, and seven assists to help Wangs-Letran escape the clutches of Perpetual.
“A win is a win. Pero syempre medyo masama pa rin yung nilaro namin especially on defense. Buti na lang noong second half, medyo naging agresibo kami kaya nakabalik,” said coach Jeff Napa.
JP Calvo added 12 points, six rebounds, and six dimes in the victory, as both Jerrick Balanza and Christian Fajarito wound up with 10 markers.
Publico’s late spurt allowed the Couriers to remain above water, turning a slim 78-77 edge in the last 4:42 to an 84-81 lead with 54 ticks left.
Perpetual stayed in the game after Prince Eze scored on a jumper with 47 seconds remaining, but Bonbon Batiller got his layup in the next possession before AJ Coronel muffed his potential game-tying triple. Quinto put the game under wraps as he canned a pair of freebies in the clutch.
Edgar Charcos fired 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for Perpetual, while the Nigerian Eze got 26 markers, 12 boards, and five blocks in the defeat.
The Altas sunk to 2-4 with their second consecutive loss.
The Scores:
Wangs-Letran 88 — Publico 17, Quinto 14, Calvo 12, Balanza 10, Fajarito 10, Batiller 8, Mandreza 6, Ambohot 4, Yu 3, Balagasay 2, Trinidad 2, Taladua 0.
UPHSD 83 — Charcos 29, Eze 26, Coronel 8, Peralta 8, Villanueva 6, Aurin 2, Mangalino 2, Tiburcio 2, Pido 0, Tamayo 0.
Quarterscores: 25-10, 40-38, 65-62, 88-83.
