The Letran Knights pounced on two scoring opportunities in the dying seconds to fend off the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 82-80, in overtime yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Center in San San Juan.
Edson Batiller knocked in 23 points, including a split charity in the last 4.6 seconds, helping push the Knights to their third consecutive triumph in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
That proved to be the final basket for the Knights, who went on to take the upperhand in the team standings with their 3-1 win-loss record.
Big man Jeo Ambohot had nine points and 13 rebounds. His putback with 12.4 ticks left which gave the Knights the lead for the final time as they held on to it after they moved ahead, 81-80.
Ato Ular shot 19 points and dominated the boards with 13 rebounds for the Knights, who are now ahead of the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the San Sebastian Stags (2-0 slates).
Meanwhile, the Lyceum Pirates, with Jaycee Marcelino and Ryan Tansingco making 14 points apiece, clipped the Mapua University Cardinals, 79-71, to bounce back from their loss to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Friday.
The Pirates, who will miss injured big man Mike Nzeusseu for another two weeks, are now in third spot with their 2-1 slate.
“We stuck to the game plan. And we were going big in our last plays. We expected to get those second shots,” said Knights’ coach Bonnie Tan.
Larry Muyang banged in nine points for the Knights, while Ambohot made nine with Jerrick Balanza, who sent the game into an extra five minutes after bungling a triple off Benedict Adamos at the buzzer, 70-all.
Balanza made up for his miss at the start of extra time when his trey connected, putting Letran ahead, 73-72.
Edgar Charcos made 15 points for the Altas, who took their second consecutive loss in three matches.
It was Charcos’ trey with 4.1 seconds remaining which tied the match, 70-all.
In junior action, the Lyceum Junior Pirates coasted to a 101-66 beating and upset of the defending champion Malayan Red Robins.
John Barba, back from a knee injury, tallied 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Junior Pirates handed the Red Robins their worst loss of 35 points.
Teammate Jae Omandac struck with 24 points and five boards for the Junior Pirates, who joined the San Beda Red Cubs in the lead with win no. 3.
“We emphasized to them na ibigay nila ang best nila para madala sa game namin. ‘Yun naman naging resulta ngayon,” said new Junior Pirates’ coach JC Docto.
The Red Robins, playing without big man Jonnel Policarpio and with Megan Galang scoring 11 points, dropped to their third straight loss.
Gilas Pilipinas Youth player Joshua Ramirez hit 26 points and had 10 rebounds for the Letran Squires (1-3) as they toppled the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 70-52.
