The Letran Knights bring home victory after a close game against the Arellano Chiefs. Photo courtesy of Filoil EcoOil Sports.
The Letran Knights survived a near blunder against the Arellano Chiefs, 80-75, in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City earlier today.
Joseph Nunag had a stellar double-double performance with 12 points and 20 rebounds, while Jonathan Manalili stuffed the stat sheet with nine markers, nine assists, six boards, and two steals, rounded off by efficient outings from Charles Dimaano and Edsel Galoy, who had 14 and 13, respectively.
Letran managed to gain control of the match from the jump as Galoy drained a three-pointer, quickly followed by an end-to-end basket by Dimaano.
Jornel Tangkay and Nat Montecillo sustained the pressure by hitting from downtown as the Knights slowly ran away with the ball game led by Manalili's aggressive playstyle.
The Muralla-based squad jumped to their largest lead of the game after the half as Nunag and Dimaano continued to attack the rack and obtained second chance points from offensive rebounds, 58-33.
Coach Chico Manabat's group ceased to let up as they clawed their way back into the contest with three quick-hitters from deep by Sebastian Valencia, stifling the Knights defense after every make.
The Chiefs carried this momentum into the final minutes of the match as they reduced the deficit to single-digits with potential game-tying free throws from Jeadan Ongotan, 74-76.
With the game in the balance, Ongotan made the first but missed short on the second attempt. In a turn of luck, the ball wound up in the hands of Yuan Camay, who unfortunately missed his go-ahead floater, allowing Manalili to seize possession of the basketball.
Manalili and Jovel Baliling proceeded to ice the ball game, sinking on all four of their free throw attempts enroute to the win.
Arellano Chiefs' Valencia garnered 19 points, three rebounds and an assist, followed by Dayrit with 14 points, seven rebounds, an assist and a steal.
The Letran Knights next clash will be against the JRU Heavy Bombers on Wednesday, May 30, at 1:00 P.M.
QUARTER SCORES: 25-28, 49-32, 67-56, 80-75.
LETRAN (80) – Dimaano 14, Galoy 13, Nunag 12, Manalili 9, Montecillo 8, Pradela 8, Estrada 7, Tangkay 5, Baliling 2, Garupil 2, Alarcon 0, Jumao-As 0
ARELLANO (75) – Valencia 19, Dayrit 14, Abiera 9, Ongotan 9, Capulong 8, Geronimo 7, Vinoya 5, Borromeo 2, Camay 2, Acop 0, Dela Cruz 0, Espiritu 0, Libang 0, Miller 0