FOUR of the Letran Knights’ key players dedicated their game to a fallen coach, who died of cancer last Wednesday.
Their inspired game in the name of former high school mentor Bobby Lotuaco carried the Knights to an 84-78 thwarting of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
“We dedicate our game to him. Since the start, kasama namin siya, nandoon siya kahit ‘di na namin siya coach, dumadalaw siya at sumusuporta,” said skipper Rey Nambatac after the Knights stayed in contention for a Final Four seat in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Before the start of the Lyceum-San Sebastian College, a moment of silence was also offered for Lotuaco, who was part of the SSC-Recoletos program before he died.
Bong Quinto, who played under Lotuaco in high school with Nambatac, Jerrick Balanza and Gedaria, led with 27 points for the Knights, who earned their eighth triumph in 14 games.
They gained a share of second spot with Jose Rizal University, which smashed the Perpetual Help Altas, 85-52.
The Knights were in control from the start and started moving away off Quinto’s triple in the last 5:06 of the first for a 12-4 count.
From there, they took a 23-15 spread with Quinto finishing the period with 10 points.
A 10-4 run which Balanza capped with a driving shot in the last 7:55 of the third gave the Knights a 33-19 edge.
“It’ 8-7. Wala pa. ‘Di pa kami pasok. Main goal namin ito bago ang lahat,” said Knights’ coach Jeff Napa.
On the other hand, JRU held Perpetual Help to just 15 points in the first half as they went on to grab a 39-15 advantage.
Mark dela Virgen topscored for JRU with 18 points, while Abdel Poutouchi added 16 points.
In the junior division, the Letran Squires needed an overtime to turn back the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 86-85,
Neil Tolentino topscored with 15 points for the Squires, who needed Keith Peralta’s layup in the final minute to give them a four-point cushion, 86-82.
The Squires improved to 9-6 to remain in contention for the no. 3 seeding in the Final Four.
Cjay Boado knocked in a triple in the closing seconds to keep the Brigadiers threatening by point. He was able to regain control of the ball for the Brigadiers, but Boado got injured after he fell badly on the floor as the final buzzer rang.
Tristan Tolentino made 17 points for the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers after they swamped the Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 86-51.
The scores:
First Game
Jose Rizal 85—dela Virgen 18, Poutouochi 16, Mendoza 12, Grospe 8, David 8, Teodoro 8, Lasquety 6, Adul Razak 5, Bordon 2, Mariano 2, Mate 0, Pontejos 0, Sibangan 0, Sawat 0
Perpetual Help 52—Eze 23, Pido 8, Sadiwa 8, Tamayo 3, Mangalino 3, Hao 3, Coronel 2, Ylagan 2, Dagangon 0, Casas 0, Clemente 0, Singontiko 0, Yuhico 0, Lucente 0
Quarterscores: 17-5; 39-15; 64-39; 85-52
Second Game
Letran 84—Quinto 27, Nambatac 19, Calvo 16, Balanza 8, Gedaria 5, Vacaro 4, Balagasay 2, Taladua 2, Mendreza 1, Bernabe 0
EAC 78—Onwubere 25, Munsayac 15, Bautista 10, Diego 10, Bugarin 6, Garcia 6, Mendoza, I. 2, Mendoza, J. 2, Tampoc 2, Corilla 0, Neri 0, Pascua 0
Quarterscores: 23-15; 50-34; 72-58; 84-78