With their two captains having an off game, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights’ bench stepped up to weather a late Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals surge, 91-82, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
It was an important victory for the Knights, as they maintained their game lead over the fourth-running CSB Blazers with a 9-4 slate. Letran also dropped EAC to their seventh straight loss to fall to a 2-11.
“Good win for us. At least, kahit papano, one game ahead pa rin kami sa Benilde. Pero hindi pa rin kami puwede maging complacent,” said third-year Knights head coach Jeff Napa. “Bawal kami matalo. Sana maganda maging resulta ng laro namin.”
Letran co-captains JP Calvo and Bong Quinto struggled for the entire game, as two shot an identical 2-for-12 clip all throughout. Quinto still managed to haul eight rebounds and dish out six dimes, while Calvo added nine assists. And it was because of their teammates.
“Struggling yung dalawa pero marami silang ginagawa na hindi nakikita ng stats,” added Napa. “Siguro, yung offense ang nawala sa kanila pero confident ako na may nagste-step up sa kanila. Pero itong tatlo na ito, instant offense.”
Coy Galvelo provided the spark for Letran, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the first half to give the Knights a four-point edge heading into the second half. Then in the third canto, it was Jeremiah Taladua’s turn, helping give Letran a 19-point lead during that span.
However, with the combined efforts of Jerome Garcia, Hamadou Laminou, Philip Tampoc, and Dan Corilla, the Generals stormed back. Fortunately for Letran, Fran Yu heated up late, while Taladua scored timely baskets to seal off EAC.
Taladua had 15 points as well on 6-for-8 shooting to go along with six rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Yu added 13 markers in just six minutes of game time.
Garcia paced EAC with 20 points. Laminou tallied 16 points and 11 boards, while JP Maguliano had 16 markers as well.
Bonbon Batiller did not play in the game as he will be out for a week due to a dislocated shoulder.
Letran will next face the JRU Heavy Bombers on Friday, September 28, at 4:00pm. EAC, on the other hand, faces CSB Blazers earlier in the day at 12:00nn.
The Scores
CSJL 91 –– Taladua 15, Galvelo 15, Yu 13, Ambohot 10, Muyang 9, Quinto 8, Fajarito 8, Calvo 5, Celis 5, Mandreza 2, Agbong 1, Balagasay 0, Pambid 0, Banez 0.
EAC 82 — Garcia 20, Laminou 16, Maguliano 16, Tampoc 11, Bugarin 6, Corilla 5, Neri 3, Mendoza 3, Cadua 2, Natividad 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15, 36-32, 67-54, 91-82.
