Letran holds off FEU, but Balanza suffers leg injury in Filoil

LETRAN survived the absence of Jerrick Balanza in the second half to pull off the tight 75-70 victory over Far Eastern University Friday to remain unbeaten in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.

Jeo Ambohot stepped up with his nine points and seven rebounds to spearhead the Knights' balanced attack.

Larry Muyang topscored with 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists, as frontcourt partner Renato Ular had 10 points and seven boards in the win as Letran stayed immaculate at 2-0 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Knights were just too composed in the endgame, breaking away from a 63-all deadlock as Muyang, Ambohot, and King Caralipio all made their shots while shutting down the Tamaraws on the other end to take a 72-65 lead with one minute and eight seconds to play.

Balanza went down at the 6:41 mark of the second quarter, suffering from an apparent leg injury after going for a block against Wendell Comboy.

He had seven points and two assists at that point before going back to the dugout and sitting out the remainder of the game.

Comboy, L-Jay Gonzales, and Joseph Nunag all had 16 points in the summer tourney debut for the Tamaraws.

The scores:

LETRAN 75 -- Muyang 12, Ular 10, Ambohot 9, Caralipio 9, Olivario 7, Balanza 7, Balagasay 6, Mina 6, Pambid 5, Yu 4, Reyson 0, Sangalang 0, Gallano 0.

FEU 70 -- Comboy 16, Gonzales 16, Nunag 16, Bienes 8, Tchuente 4, Flores 4, Ebona 2, Alforque 2, Casino 2, Stockton 0, Torres 0, Celzo 0, Gloria 0.

Quarters: 22-15, 41-36, 56-55, 75-70.