FilOil: Nambatac powers Letran to first win

Rey Nambatac steered the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights to victory against the Southwestern University Cobras, 78-68, Friday, in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup at the San Juan Arena.

The Knights bounced back after an 88-81 loss against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Monday, evening their record at 1-1 in Group B play. Meanwhile the Cobras fell anew after overpowering the Lyceum Pirates last Wednesday, 74-64, to take a 1-5 card.

After trailing by double-digits for most of the first half, the Cobras came out in the third quarter for a three-point fueled 16-6 run, cutting their deficit to three, 45-42. But each time Southwestern U threatened to take the lead, Nambatac was there to repel the charge, including an and-one play to cap a 12-4 run in the fourth quarter, 68-61, from which the Cobras would not recover.

"Kailangan ko talagang mag-step up at magsilbi sa team," said the former Letran Squire Nambatac. "Nakukuha ko na yung sistema ni coach Caloy at kung paano patakbuhin ang team."

Letran had brought in Caloy Garcia as their new head coach after former mentor Louie Alas resigned.

'Kailangan naming i-lead yung team kasi ang daming nawala," added fifth-year center Raymond Almazan, who together with Nambatac and Mark Cruz, will feature more prominently on a Knights team coping with the departures of Jam Cortez, and brothers Junjun and Kevin Alas.

Nambatac led his team with 16 points and four steals. Mcjour Luib added 13 points and seven rebounds, WHILE Cruz and Almazan tallied 11 points apiece to go with Cruz's five assists and Almazan's 11 rebounds and three blocks. Jovit Tambeling also notched 10 points in 15 minutes of play.

The Cobras played tentative offense in the first quarter, leading to several turnovers that allowed Letran to cruise to the rim in transition. Four different Knights chipped in for a 7-2 lead.

Southwestern U got a couple of second-chance points from Monbert Arong and Landry Sanjo with under four minutes to play, but the Knights were more deliberate in the half court. A pair of treys by Mark Cruz and Jovit Tambeling lifted them in an 11-6 run the rest of the way, as the tally stood at 18-8 after the first period.

Both teams traded baskets for most of the second quarter, but Southwestern U had difficulty coming up with defensive stops. The Knights capitalized on perimeter defense that was a step slow, as a 20-foot jumper by Raymond Almazan led them to a 31-18 tally with four minutes remaining. Letran maintained the margin for the rest of the half, 39-26, after two quarters.

The Knights were 4-of-11 from beyond the arc in the first half (36 percent) to post a 15-of-34 mark from the field (44 percent). In contrast, the Cobras missed all their six tries from long range en route to a 12-of-35 clip (34 percent).

After the half, Southwestern U started strong as Jaques Bautista and Arong traded triples with Cruz and Jonathan Belorio, while Fabrice Siewe and Francis Ortega added a couple baskets to cut the lead to three, 45-42.

Rey Nambatac came to the Knights' rescue, scoring six unanswered points going at the rim, but the Cobras asserted themselves more on the block, as Landry Sanjo and Bernie Bregondo scored seven of their next nine, 53-51.

Macjour Luib nailed a triple to give Letran some space with under a minute to play, but Ortega broke loose off a Knights turnover for a buzzer-beating lay-up, 56-53, heading into the last quarter.

The Cobras took their first lead of the game, 57-56, thanks to Sanjo's efforts beneath the basket early in the fourth period. The Knights retaliated as Nambatac scored on a pair of strong drives to lead a 12-4 run, 68-61, with under five minutes to play.

Letran defended their lead for the rest of the way as they went back to their bigs around the basket. An Almazan lay-up then brought the lead back to double digits, 75-65, with less than three minutes to play.

The Cobras made only 6-of-12 of their free throws (50 percent) versus Letran's 11-of-14 (79 percent).

The Knights made 9-of-25 from beyond the arc (36 percent) for a 29-of-67 mark overall (43 percent). Meanwhile, Southwestern U made 4-of-17 treys (24 percent) for a 29-of-71 clip (41 percent).

Landry Sanjo led all scorers with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Monbert Arong registered 16 points and six boards. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

CSJL 78: Nambatac 16, Luib 13, Cruz 11, Almazan 11, Tambeling 15, Publico 5, Belorio 5, Gabawan 4, Ruaya 3, Buenaflor 0, Pantin 0, Almario 0, Castro 0, Oluto 0

SWU 68: Sanjo 17, Aron 16, Ortega 8, Otida 6, Bautista 6, Bregondo 0, Siewe 4, Holper 3, Mohammed 2, Penerio 2, Goloran 0

Quarter scoring: 12-8, 39-26, 56-53, 78-68