THE Letran Knights weathered a tough encounter with the Arellano University Chiefs, 77-68, yesterday to post their sixth straight win in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.
Kevin Racal scored a season-best 24 points, while Rey Nambatac and Jomari Sollano added 13 and 12 for the Knights in their best best start so far since 2008.
Zachary Nichols, who had 14 points for the Chiefs, kept Arellano in the fight with three triples in the last two minutes that made it 68-71. But a driving shot from Racal and a trey from Mark Cruz in the last two minutes sealed Letran’s win, 74-68.
“It’s getting tougher and tougher especially this one. Ito na ang pinakamahirap,” said Letran coach Aldin Ayo.
The Chiefs dropped to a 4-2 slate in a tie with Jose Rizal University and University of Perpetual Help at third spot.
In the second game, the Mapua Cardinals bucked the loss of coach Atoy Co down the stretch and leaned on big man Allwell Oraeme to turn back the Lyceum Pirates, 109-95.
Co was ejected with less than two minutes remaining for excessive complaining, with the Pirates cashing on the technical with three free throws to move to within 93-108.
The Cardinals notched their third win in six games.
Shaq Alanes led the Pirates with 27 points, including 11 points in the third quarter as Lyceum rallied from a 40-point halftime deficit to come to within 23 points, 63-86.
Earlier, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals held their own against the San Sebastian Stags in a furious endgame to fashion out a 77-71 victory, their first in six games.
Laminou Hamadou led the Generals with 18 points and 16 rebounds, including a fastbreak basket that gave EAC a 75-69 cushion in the last 36.4 seconds.
