It was seniors’ night in the Filoil Flying V Centre!
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights coughed up a five-point lead with 11.9 seconds remaining, before JP Calvo took charge in extra time to end Letran’s season on a high note, in a 93-87 overtime win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
Team captain Jom Sollano led the Knights one last time with 21 points and 12 rebounds in just 32 minutes of action. Fellow senior Felix Apreku added eight points and 10 rebounds.
Fifth year utility wingman McJour Luib did not score in the game, but finished with three rebounds and four assists.
The Knights were comfortably up by five points, 82-77, with 11.9 seconds remaining before Rey Nambatac, who finished the game with 15 points and six rebounds, uncharacteristically fouled Jorem Morada on the halfcourt line that led to free throws. The graduating EAC guard split his charities, but Sidney Onwubere was fortunately underneath for the put-back, cutting the lead to just two, 82-80, with 6.3 seconds remaining.
Again the Knights made an uncharacteristic error with 6.3 seconds remaining, turning the ball over and allowing an excellent dish by Morada to Hamadou Laminou that sent the game into overtime.
“Nakalimutan ata kung panu manalo,” quipped first year Letran head coach Jeff Napa. “Nag-enjoy pero nakalimutan ata tapusin ang laro.”
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na masyadong nage-enjoy, nakalimutan tapusin ang laro. So, at least natapos naman, kahit nae-enjoy sila, natapos ng maayos ang laro, despite na nag-overtime,” he added.
The Generals were trigger-happy from downtown in overtime but fell short. On the other end, the Knights were able to gain an 89-82 edge capped by a triple by Calvo, who finished the game with 11 points and seven dimes.
Onwubere and Francis Munsayac were able to cut the lead to just two with 1:44 remaining, but Calvo was able to convert four free throws to seal the win.
“Sa season as a whole, frustrated ako siyempre pero yung frustration ko ngayon, gagamitin ko para sa next year,” Napa added.
“Para at least kung sino man ang magiging player ko next year will become ready and prepared. and yun yung pinaka-sigurado ako talaga, na babalik kami ng mas malakas.”
For the Generals, Laminou finished the game with 23 points and 18 rebounds in 42 minutes of game time. Onwubere aded 23 points and eight rebounds.
EAC’s graduating players, Igee King and Morada, finished the game with nine and five points respectively.
The Letran Knights finish the season with a 9-9 slate, good for sixth place. On the other hand, the Generals end up with a 6-12 record for 8th place.
The Scores:
CSJL (93) – Sollano 21, Nambatac 15, Quinto 12, Balanza 11, Calvo 11, Apreku 8, Bernabe 5, Ambohot 4, Balagasay 4, Dela Pena 2, Luib 0, Pambid 0, Sario 0, Ular 0, Vacaro 0.
EAC (87) – Laminou 23, Onwubere 23, Munsayac 12, King 9, Serrano 6, Morada 5, Guzman 3, Pascua 3, Diego 2, Neri 1, Aguas 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, General 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 33-35, 56-54, 82-82, 93-87.
