LETRAN turned back a tough challenge from National University (NU) to post its third straight win, 76-69, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Knights nursed a slim 67-63 lead with under five minutes to play when they nearly turned the ball over after guard Fran Yu opted to pass instead of taking the shot with the 24-shot clock winding down. Luckily for the Knights, Jap Pambid’s triple beat the buzzer for a huge 70-63 advantage.
A stop later, King Caralio tacked on a free throw for Letran, 71-63. NU’s Chino Mosqueda hit two free throws to come within five, 71-66, but Tommy Olivario scored on a big three-point play off NU’s Miguel Oczon for a 74-66 margin with 38 seconds left.
Letran was not threatened the rest of the way.
“I am very happy with the way the boys responded,” said first year Letran Coach Bonnie Tan, whose team went up to 3-0 in Group B.
Veteran swingman Jerrick Balanza sat out the game after incurring a mild knee injury during their previous game against Far Eastern University, while Bonbon Batiller was still not cleared for game action after also a bout in injury bay.
“We will need everyone’s contributions if we want to do well in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup and the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association],” Reyson
King Caralipio led Letran with 12 points while Ato Ular netted 10 points, the bulk he made in the second period.
Issa Gaye and Sean Ildefonso scored 14 points each for NU, which dropped to 0-2 won-lost.
Ateneo tipped off the post-Kai Sotto era with an impressive 74-71 win over Adamson University in the high-school division.
Forthsky Padrigao scored the last five points, including a triple that bounced in with 11 seconds left, to give Ateneo a 74-69 lead.
Adamson University could only score on a putback in the remaining time to peg the final count.