FRAN Yu led Letran's finishing kick to repulse St. Benilde, 87-74, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 95 seniors basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The stingy guard accounted for eight in the Knights' 12-4 blitz to wiggle away from a tight 75-70 affair against the Blazers with 4:15 remaining.
Yu actually had 13 of his 19 points in the payoff period, while also collecting eight assists, four rebounds, and a steal to lead Letran to a 9-4 slate, half a game behind second-running Lyceum (9-3).
"All teams have goals and we talked about our position right now. Our goal right now is to get to No. 2. We have to win these kinds of games," said coach Bonnie Tan.
Ato Ular topscored for the Knights with 20 points and eight rebounds, as Bonbon Batiller added 13 points, eight boards, four assists and three steals.
Larry Muyang got 10 points and six rebounds, while Jerrick Balanza snared eight points and five rebounds as they won back-to-back games.
The Letran victory also assured league leader San Beda, which sits at 13-0, a guaranteed semifinal spot.
Meanwhile, the downward spiral continues for the Blazers, which have now lost five straight games and six of their last seven to fall to an even 6-6 win-loss card.
Yankie Haruna was the lone St. Benilde player to get to double-digits in scoring with his 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
The scores:
Letran 87 - Ular 20, Yu 19, Batiller 13, Muyang 10, Balanza 8, Ambohot 6, Caralipio 5, Olivario 4, Mina 2, Balagasay 0, Reyson 0, Javillonar 0.
St. Benilde 74 - Haruna 19, Gutang 9, Dixon 7, Carlos 6, Leutcheu 6, Naboa 6, Young 6, Belgica 6, Sangco 4, Nayve 3, Flores 2.
Quarterscores: 24-17; 36-40; 64-61; 87-74.
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