Rey Publico came to the rescue of the Wangs Basketball-Letran Knights, as he scored the go-ahead bucket to lift his side to a classic 83-82 squeaker over the Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian Revellers to stay unbeaten, Monday evening at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The veteran center recovered a fumble off a Jeo Ambohot pass and drained the critical undergoal stab with 4.1 seconds remaining as the Couriers punctuated the awe-inspiring comeback from 19-points down.
“Actually, yun yung designed play. Kay Jeo yung lob pass pero maganda yung defense nila. Na-fumble tapos napunta kay Rey. Ayun, pumasok,” said coach Jeff Napa.
Bong Quinto led the fourth quarter uprising as he dropped 13 of his 21 points in the final frame, while also collecting 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
His efforts triggered Wangs-Letran’s 25-5 turnaround, which swung a 73-54 lead early in the period to a 79-78 lead and set up the nip-and-tuck battle late.
Ambohot registered a double-double with 14 markers, 10 boards, two dimes, and two blocks. JP Calvo went 3-of-5 on threes to shoot 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Publico had 12 markers, six in the last 12 minutes, while also nabbing six boards.
Napa, however, isn’t putting too much thought on his side’s 2-0 run, saying: “That doesn’t mean na maganda na ang tinatakbo namin.”
“Masaya lang ako na yung puso ng Letranista, di kami bumibitaw,” he added.
Michael Calisaan paced the Revellers (1-1) with 21 points and six rebounds in the defeat.
Wangs-Letran will next face the Zark’s-Lyceum Jawbreakers on Monday, February 5. Che’Lu-San Sebastian, on the other hand, face the AMA Online Education Titans next on Thursday, February 1.
The Scores:
Wangs-Letran 83 — Quinto 21, Ambohot 14, Calvo 13, Publico 12, Mandreza 7, Muyang 6, Fajarito 3, Batiller 3, Balanza 2, Trinidad 2, Balagasay 0, Taladua 0.
Che’Lu-San Sebastian 82 – Calisaan 21, Bulanadi 15, Jeruta 13, De Leon 12, Batino 11, David 5, Ilagan 5, Calma 0, Costelo 0, Faundo 0, Santos 0, Valdez 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 41-41, 54-71, 83-82.
