By: Aulyn Gwen Bergado
Not barring themselves from the last win, the Letran Knights take home another victory against the Mapua Cardinals. Photo courtesy of FilOil EcoOil Sports.
Despite trailing by 16 in the second window, the Letran Knights were able to eke out a come from behind 70-67 victory against Mapua Cardinals in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup earlier today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Point Guard Kurt Reyson paced the Knights with 15 points, eight caroms and eight assists followed by Pao Javillonar who scattered 11 markers on top of five rebounds and an assist.
Kevin Santos and Kint Ariar also contributed 10 and nine points, respectively.
With 39 ticks remaining on the clock, Pao Javillonar cashed in an easy basket to break off the 67-all deadlock and placed Letran on cushion, 69-67.
The Intramuros-based squads were both tied at the 5-2 slate at the standings before the match, Letran went ahead with 6-2 while Mapua fell to 5-3.
The Knights proved that the Cardinals’ defense was too much for them as they were only limited to 12 points only in the second frame, against Mapua’s 24.
But Cuajao and Nicko Fajardo stepped up in the third canto as he drained four points to cut the deficit into three, 42-45.
Mapua was led by Adrian Nocum who churned out 14 points with four rebounds and two assists while getting ample help from Bryan Agustin who chipped in 10.
Letran will face UPHSD Altas on June 9 as their last match for the elimination rounds for the league.