LETRAN weathered the best punches that Jose Rizal University could throw and pulled off a 101-97 overtime win to start its three-peat drive in the NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Kurt Reyson converted a trey with 5.0 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 89, while sustaining that drive in the extra period to cap off his 31-point explosion of 6-of-8 clip from deep that came with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
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"It's all about heart and swerte," remarked coach Bonnie Tan. "It's JRU's game talaga but Kurt Reyson played a good game. Wala na akong masabi sa bata. It's time for him to step up."
Fran Yu put on the finishing touches for the Knights, draining three of his last four freebies in overtime to seal his 12 points, six boards, and five assists.
King Caralipio had 14 points, 11 boards, three assists, and three steals, as Brent Paraiso had 13 points, four steals, three rebounds, and two dimes before fouling out early in the extra frame.
"We're just happy with the win. Blindfolded kami di namin alam paano manalo, but we're just blessed," said Tan.
It was a gutsy victory for Letran which pulled itself out of an early eight-point deficit, 27-19, and kept itself afloat with its barrage of treys, going 14-of-29 from deep.
But defense was crucial in sealing the deal with the Knights, forcing the Heavy Bombers to a crucial turnover late in the fourth quarter that led to Reyson's game-tying three before forcing Jason Celis to a desperation shot to beat the buzzer.
That was the case anew in overtime, turning a Ry dela Rosa missed three into a Kobe Monje go-ahead layup that gave Letran the 98-97 lead in the last 28.1 ticks. Celis once again could not convert in the other end leading to Yu's insurance free throws in the waning seconds that out JRU down for the count.
It was a painful loss for the Heavy Bombers which shot for the upset against the defending champions yet still fell short even after five players scoring in double figures.
John Amores topscored for JRU with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, but got into a late scuffle against Monje as time expired.
Agem Miranda had 18 points, six assists, and five boards, while dela Rosa and Celis for 14 each in the losing effort.
The Scores:
LETRAN 101 -- Reyson 31, Caralipio 14, Paraiso 13, Yu 12, Sangalang 9, Monje 9, Santos 6, Olivario 3, Go 2, Miclat 2, Ariar 0, Guarino 0.
JRU 97 -- Amores 19, Miranda 18, Celis 14, Dela Rosa 14, Guiab 10, Dionisio 7, Arenal 7, Medina 5, Sy 3, Delos Santos 0, Abaoag 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 49-41, 74-71, 89-89, 101-97.
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