The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights gave new head coach Dan Napa a win in his debut, as the Knights were able to escape neighbors Lyceum of the Philippines University, 89-84, Friday afternoon, to open their 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup campaign.
The game was close all throughout, with both teams tied at 69-all entering the final frame. The Knights were able to go on a 7-3 rally capped by a triple by Rey Nambatac for a 78-72 lead with five minutes to go in the game.
“All I can say is hindi pa rin ganun ka satisfied,” said Letran head coach Jeff Napa about his first preseason win with the Knights. “Alam naman nila na a long way to go pa at marami pa kami kailangan trabahuin especially on defense.”
Knowing that he could out-muscle the Letran frontline, Lyceum’s Joseph Gabayni went on a personal 6-2 run to cut the lead to just five, 87-82, with 1:58 remaining in the game. A steal by Reymar Caduyac against Nambatac with 47 ticks to go led to a layup that turned the ball game into a one possession lead for Letran, 87-84.
After a timeout by Napa, the Knights went to Nambatac who spun his way against his defender for a layup to extend their lead to five, 89-84, with 17 seconds remaining. A missed three by Shaq Alanes from way out ended the game in favor of the Knights.
In his two months with the Muralla Street squad, the former National University Bullpups head coach was happy with how the players had welcomed him with open arms. “Sa akin naman happy ako sa mga bata, like sila Rey, talagang tinanggap nila ako. Hindi ganun kabigat yung transition,” he said.
“Yung pinagmulan din nilang system halos similar. Yung adjustment naging madali lang para sa kanila.”
Bong Quinto paced the Knights in the first three quarters, scoring 18 markers and grabbing eight boards. Nambatac scored eight of his 17 points in the final frame, including two triples.
“Long way to go. Kung gusto niyang may marating talaga kailangan na marami pa siyang gawin as a player,” Napa said about senior Rey Nambatac. “Para sa team niya kelangan niya maging solid.”
For the Pirates, Wilson Baltazar was the high point man with 19 points on 8/11 shooting. Gabayni added 15 points and seven boards.
The Letran Knights (B, 1-0) will next face the Mapua Cardinals (B, 0-1) on Saturday, May 14. On the other hand, the Lyceum Pirates (B, 1-1) will play the University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday, May 11.
The Scores:
CSJL (89) – Quinto 18, Nambatac 17, Sollano 14, Luib 9, Balanza 7, Calvo 6, Gedaria 6, Apreku 4, Dela Pena 4, Sario 3, Balagasay 1, Bernabe 0.
LPU (84) – Baltazar 19, Gabayni 12, Ayaay 10, Serafica 9, Alanes 8, Caduyac 7, Soliman 6, Bulawan 5, Zamora 2, Alban 2, Malabanan 2, Nzeusseu 2, Magbuhos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 49-47, 69-69, 89-84.
