King Caralipio and Kurt Reyson led Colegio de San Juan de Letran late as they survived yet another test from an undermanned Emilio Aguinaldo College, 84-77, in NCAA Season 98 on Saturday.
The two combined to score 19 of the team's 24 points in the fourth quarter, including a perfect 4-of-4 on triples, as they led the way for the Knights.
Caralipio had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, with 12 of his points coming in the final period. Reyson, meanwhile, finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
The win improved Letran’s slate to 12-3 and clinched its Final Four ticket while EAC dropped to 2-14.
Reyson ignited from deep in the fourth, nailing two three-pointers to fuel a 14-4 rampage that opened the final frame as Letran took a much-needed 74-67 cushion.
Prior to that, EAC was leading 63-60 at the end of the third frame.
Another trey from Brent Paraiso made it a 79-72 spread for Letran before Nat Cosejo and Ruzzelle Dominguez cut EAC deficit to two, 79-77 with 1:10 left.
Caralipio then buried a crucial triple and two freebies to give Letran an 84-77 lead with 13.4 in the clock.
Letran was dominant in the opening frame, but an undermanned EAC Side outscored the Knights in the second, 24 to 13, to forge a 41-38 halftime lead with Joshua Tolentino, JC Luciano, and Nat Cosejo leading the way for the hosts.
It was all EAC in the third as well with the Generals knocking down four triples to take a slim 63-60 before heading to the fourth.
EAC gave Letran a huge challenge in their first round meeting with Allen Liwag and Adam Doria drilling 20 and 16 points each, but the Knights managed to pass that test.
Liwag, though, was missing after suffering a sprain while JP Maguliano and Ralph Bajon are under health and safety protocols.
It was Cosejo pacing EAC in this one with a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds while Luciano tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
Aside from Caralipio and Reyson, both Fran Yu and Louie Sangalang reached double figures for the Knights with 10 points apiece.
The scores:
Letran 84 - Caralipio 16, Reyson 14, Yu 10, Sangalang 10, Paraiso 8, Tolentino 7, Javillonar 5, Santos 4, Olivario 3, Ariar 3, Go 2, Monje 2, Guarinio 0.
EAC 77 - Cosejo 21, Tolentino 17, Luciano 16, Dominguez 10, Quinal 4, An. Doria 4, Ad. Doria 3, Balowa 2, Angeles 0.
Quarters: 25-17, 38-41, 60-63, 84-77.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
