Letran takes victory against Mapua in a nail-biting game. Photo courtesy of Eduardo Nollora Jr. of The LANCE.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights racked up another win in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup at the expense of the Mapua Cardinals, 96-92, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan earlier today.
Nat Montecillo and Charles Dimaano both led the team in scoring with 15 points, Rafael Go followed closely behind as he put up 14 markers, while James Jumao-as pitched in 13.
Letran was in yet another closely-knit battle as the lead swung from one side to the other a total of 13 times throughout the contest. After a few costly errors by the Cardinals, the Knights’ lead ballooned to a game-high 15 points midway through the third quarter, 45-60.
However, Mapua was keen on keeping their adversaries at bay as they drained back-to-back threes and quickly reduced the deficit to seven prior to the final quarter, 71-64.
The Clint Escamis-led group tried their best to mount a comeback but Go and Montecillo ensured to not let the game slip away from their grasp as they collectively made timely baskets to halt any runs.
Escamis dropped a monster performance with 31 markers, backed by a 23-point outing by Edward Jabonete and 10 apiece from Cyrus Cuenco and Lawrence Mangubat.
Letran will square up against the EAC Generals on Wednesday, June 5, at 11:00 A.M. for its final match of the elimination round.
QUARTER SCORES: 23-22, 47-43, 71-64, 96-92.
LETRAN (96) -- Dimaano 15, Montecillo 15, Go 14, Jumao-as 13, Manalili 13, Galoy 8, Nunag 8, Baliling 5, Tangkay 5, Alarcon 0, Bojorcelo 0, Cuajao 0, Garupil 0.
MAPUA (92) -- Escamis 31, Jabonete 23, Cuenco 10, Mangubat 10, Recto 6, Bancale 5, Concepcion 3, Agemenyi 2, Igliane 2, Abdulla 0, Fermin 0, Fornis 0, Pantaleon 0.