Bong Quinto scored what proved to be the winning basket in the last 12.6 seconds for the Letran Knights.
And that was before things got confusing at the end of the last senior division game of 93rdNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
The University of Perpetual Help Altas lost control of the ball twice in the remaining time, sending the Knights into a 63-61 triumph on Friday evening.
Quinto went on to finish with 14 points, and this includes his game-winning penetration.
“A win is a win. Iyung tempo ng laro ay hindi pabor sa amin,” said Knights coach Jeff Napa after they posted their fourth victory in seven games.
They are now behind the two leaders, the Lyceum Pirates (7-0) and the San Beda Red Lions (6-1).
Quinto’s basket shattered the game’s third and last deadlock, and after the Knights rallied back from a 5-point deficit.
The Altas now have a 2-4 win-loss record.
They had two chances to win the game or force an overtime after Quinto’s basket went in.
But, Eze lost control of the ball during a rebound play, and Gab Dangangon seemed to have mishandled a pass during another inbound, after he got harassed by Jerrick Balanza before the buzzer sounded.
Altas coach Jimwell Gican said they need to review the game tapes in the last play, adding that the referee should have blown the whistle at a certain point.
“We need clarification here,” stated Gican, and added that they are withholding plans of filing any protest at this time.
Eze showed the way for the Altas with 18 points, while Dangangon shot 10.