By: Jonash Dannug
DEFEATED. Letran Knights flunked against Perpetual Help Altas during the #NCAASeason94 at Filoil Flying V Centre. (Photo by Gelay Davocol)
The Letran Knights opened their NCAA Season 94 campaign with a disappointing loss against the resurgent University of Perpetual Help System DALTA-Altas, 75-78, at the Filoil Flying V Centre, Friday.
With the game going down the wire, Altas hero Edgar Charcos found Jielo Razon underneath who delivered an and-1 basket to tie the game at 73 all. Charcos then scored a floater which gave Perpetual the lead, 75-73; pushing the Altas to the driver’s seat with 2:26 remaining in the match.
Charcos, who scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half, iced the game with his free throw after Bong Quinto delivered a duty foul on the hotshot guard.
The Knights had a chance to even the game. However, Prince Eze came up big on the defensive end and blocked JP Calvo and Quinto’s potential game-tying lay-ups.
Calvo on the other hand, was given another chance to tie the ball game. The pint-sized guard however, lost the ball during his attempt.
Perpetual displayed spectacular effort on the defensive end; limiting Letran to only two points in the final seven minutes of the game.
"May mga lapses din talaga kami. Kailangan lang na siguraduhin na di na namin magagawa ‘yung mga ganung error next game,” Letran head coach Jeff Napa bared.
Napa came into Calvo and Quinto’s defense, when asked about the duo’s questionable plays in the crucial stretch of the game.
"Desisyon naman na ‘yun ng mga players e. Kami, andito lang kami para mag-guide. Kung desisyon nila yun, wala kaming karapatan para pigilan sila ‘dun,” he explained.
Jielo Razon added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Altas while skipper AJ Coronel added 12 markers. Eze grabbed 15 boards and six blocks in Perpetual’s victory.
The Knights on the other hand, was led by Quinto with 15 points, eight rebounds, and six assists while Calvo added fired 14 points.
Letran will try to barge into the win column on Tuesday, 2 p.m., against the Mapua University Cardinals.
The scores:
UPSHD (78) - Charcos 27, Razon 13, Coronel 12, Aurin 10, Eze 7, Peralta 4, Mangalino 3, Gallardo 2, Cuevas 0, Canoy 0
Letran (75) - Quinto 15, Calvo 14, Ambohot 11, Muyang 10, Fajarito 7, Yu 6, Balanza 5, Batillier 5, Balagasay 2, Agbong 0, Mandreza 0
Quarterscores: 21-23, 45-44, 60-61, 78-75
(With reports from Carl Argarin.)