By: Aishah Jimenez
The Letran Knights recorded their first defeat in the FilOil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup after a 69–61 loss to their neighbors, the Mapua Cardinals, on June 2. Photo Courtesy: Nathan Binoya from The LANCE.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran endured a nine-point beating from their neighbor Mapua University, 69-61, to log their first loss in the FilOil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup held on June 2, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Jun Roque maneuvered the Knights with 15 points, an assist, and a steal. Luis Tapenio assisted with 12 markers, nine rebounds, and a steal while Jimboy Estrada finished with 11.
Despite trailing behind the Cardinals in the early minutes, the Knights were able to pull through following Roque’s layup at 3:48, thus tying the match at 9-all. Mapua, however, was determined to rule as Clint Escamis and Cyril Gonzales delivered. Deo Cuajao paced the latter with a stash and a bonus but Drex Delos Reyes responded with a putback to end the first frame, 22-17.
Letran limited the NCAA defending champions in the second, rampaging with an 8-0 run to diminish the gap until Joe Gulapa scored underneath to put the latter at 36. Estrada answered with a miracle three-pointer with 14.8 seconds remaining. h
Both crews exchanged buckets which resulted in three deadlocks in the last seven minutes of the third canto until Escamis backed by Ivan Lazarte powered a nine-point stretch, 51-42.
The Knights sought to lessen the damage as Roque orchestrated an alley-oop and a long shot following Estrada’s charity but the Cardinals were waxed hot.
Although similar efforts from the Knights were produced in the final period, the Randy Alcantara-led squad totally pinned down the former as the Estrada layup at the 47-second mark was swiftly answered by Lazarte’s two on the free throw line, 61-69.
Gonzales top-scored the Mapua Cardinals with 19 points, two boards, and an assist which was backed by team captain Escamis who finished with 14 markers, four rebounds, three dimes, and two steals.
Following this defeat, both Letran and Mapua now have a 2-1 record, just behind Benilde and EAC with 4-0 and 2-0 cards, respectively.
The Letran Knights will look to bounce back in their match against the EAC Generals on June 9 at 2:00 PM at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
QUARTER SCORES: 17-22, 31-36, 48-55, 61-69
CSJL (61) - Roque 15, Tapenio 12, Estrada 11, Omega 7, Santos 6, Cuajao 3, Rosilio 3, Manalili 2, Yusi 2, Buensalida 0, Montecillo 0.
MU (69) - Gonzales 19, Escamis 14, Lazarte 9, Gulapa 8, Delos Reyes 6, Concepcion 4, Sapasap 4, Nitura 3, Ryan 2, Abdulla 0, Recto 0.