Colegio de San Juan de Letran was able to secure a Final Four ticket in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball tournament after escaping also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo College, 84-77, Saturday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City.
With the Knights racking up their 12th win in 15 games, the defending champions are assured of a top-four finish. Moreover, they stretched their winning streak to nine games.
Letran needed to make huge stops in the endgame to stop EAC.
With 1:10 left in the game, Ruzzell Domingo cut the lead to 79-77. However, King Caralipio had other plans, nailing the dagger trey.
A miss by JC Luciano led to two more free throws for Caralipio to seal their ticket to the next round.
“At least, nakaraos kami sa mga kalaban namin. Kasi playing against a team na nothing to lose mas mahirap pa sa nakaka-pressure na team na manalo – ito no pressure sila,” said Knights head coach Bonnie Tan.
Caralipio led the Knights with a double-double of 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 11 rebounds. Kurt Reyson posted 14 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Fran Yu and Louie Sangalang both delivered 10 points apiece, with the former netting three boards, five assists, and five steals.
Nat Cosejo led the way for the Generals with 21 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Joshua Tolentino produced 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Luciano finished with a double-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
Next up for Letran will be rival San Beda University on Wednesday at 3 p.m.. EAC, meanwhile, will have a one-week rest before facing San Sebastian College-Recoletos on November 20 at 12 NN.
The Scores:
Letran 84 — Caralipio 16, Reyson 14, Sangalang 10, Yu 10, Paraiso 8, Tolentino 7, Javillonar 5, Santos 4, Ariar 3, Olivario 3, Go 2, Monje 2, Guarino 0.
EAC 77 — Cosejo 21, Tolentino 17, Luciano 16, Dominguez 10, An. Doria 4, Quinal 4, Ad. Doria 3, Balowa 2, Angeles 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 38-41, 60-63, 84-77.
