LETRAN ended its three-game skid in NCAA Season 93 after outlasting Arellano, 84-73, on Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Center.
The victory allowed the Knights match Emilio Aguinaldo College at 6-6, forging a tie at fourth spot.
The Knights staved off a late charge from the tough-luck Chiefs which staged an 8-0 blast to trim the get to within six, 79-73 with less than a minute to go.
That momentum was halted when Marwin Taywan was called for unsportsmalike foul for holding on to Rey Nambatac on the inbounds play.
Nambatac split the free throws but Letran got its dagger on the next possession after a frantic play left JP Calvo wide open for a triple to finish off the Chiefs.
“At least nakabalik na kami sa win column. Important win to para sa amin, it’s a boost kasi dikit dikit talaga. Maraming pwedeng mangyari. We took care of business and executed our gameplan. Happy ako sa mga bata, pambwelo namin to ulit,” said Letran head coach Jeff Napa who celebrated his birthday with a return victory.
“Balik kami sa game plan at stick kami sa system namin para alam namin kung san kami pupwesto at saan kami tatakbo,” he added.
Bong Quinto led the Knights with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Calvo also continued his string of good games as he also finished with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. Nambatac had a relatively quiet night, but still finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Chiefs got 23 points, five rebounds and four assists from Kent Salado but the brilliant guard out of Cagayan de Oro got little help again from his teammates.
Rence Alcoriza was the only other player in double-digits for the Chiefs with 10 points.
The loss sent the Chiefs to eighth spot with a 4-8 record.
The scores:
Letran 84 – Quinto 20, Calvo 20, Nambatac 14, Balanza 8, Mandreza 8, Gedaria 4, Vacaro 4, Taladua 4, Balagasay 2, Bernabe 0
Arellano 73 – Salado 23, Alcoriza 10, Flores 7, Dela Cruz 7, Meca 6, Taywan 6, Canete 5, Concepcion 3, Abanes 3, Nichols 2, Villoria 1, Enriquez 0
Quarterscores: 26-20; 45-36; 68-59; 84-73.
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