Struggling to start the game, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights were able to find their bearings late, overcoming the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 83-80, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
With the win, both Letran and EAC are tied at the standings with a 1-1 slate. And it was a huge bounce back win for Letran after being stunned by Mapua, 78-75, last Tuesday.
“Kasi yung nangyari ng first game namin, muntik na naman maulit,” shared second-year head coach Jeff Napa. “Luckily, yung mga bata na-wake up din nung last huddle at nag-commit na gumawa ng tama.”
After rallying back from 17 points down in the opening frame and leading by as much as nine points in the final quarter, the Knights had to weather a huge end game by former Adamson Soaring Falcon Jerome Garcia. Garcia knocked down to triples in the last 16.4 second to cut Letran’s lead to three, 80-83, with 8.4 seconds left. A turnover by Letran gave EAC a chance but a last ditch attempt by Jethro Mendoza to tie the game was swatted away by Jerrick Balanza as time expired.
Besides the game-saving block, Balanza scored all eight of his points in the final 4:42 of the game.
But it was Jeo Ambohot and Jeremiah Taladua who led Letran’s huge comeback.
“Lahat naman ng players given naman that they will step up. Timing na lang talaga,” Napa furthered.
Letran was down by as much as 17 points in the opening frame, struggling to find their offensive groove. Taladua though was the much-needed spark the Knights needed, scoring all 14 of his points in the first half to power Letran’s rally. Ambohot also did his part, locking down on Hamadou Laminou, who finished with just seven points on 1-for-7 shooting from the field.
“Bad start kasi may gigil e,” shared Napa. “Nung na-remind naman silang lahat at nakapag-adjust naman kami nung second quarter through our defense.”
Ambohot continued his strong start for the season, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in just 14 minutes of action. However, he fouled out with 1:21 left in the game.
Nambatac and Bong Quinto added 14 points each as the two linked up in the final frame to help give Letran a 66-57 lead with 7:24 left.
Francis Munsayac paced EAC with 22 points while Sidney Onwubere finished with a huge double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds.
Letran will be tested in its next outing, having the JRU Heavy Bombers next on its slate on Friday, July 21 at 2:00pm. EAC, on the other hand, will have a week off before facing the Mapua Cardinals on Tuesday, July 25 at 12:00nn.
The Scores:
CSJL (83) – Ambohot 15, Nambatac 14, Quinto 14, Taladua 14, Calvo 9, Balanza 8, Pamulaklakin 4, Balagasay 3, Vacaro 2, Gedaria 0, Bernabe 0.
EAC (80) – Munsayac 22, Onwubere 20, Garcia 13, Bautista 11, Laminou 7, Mendoza J 3, Pascua 2, Guzman 2, Diego 0, Mendoza I 0, Corilla 0, Neri 0.
Quarterscores 12-28, 41-43, 58-54, 83-80.
