Pao Javillonar stars as Letran boots out AMA in D-League tiff

Big man Pao Javillonar provided the spark off the bench to steer Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers – Letran to a 71-57 victory against AMA Online in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Letran, the reigning three-time champion in the NCAA, improved to 2-2 to gain a share of the fourth spot alongside Perpetual while AMA remained listless at 0-5 to bow out of playoff contention. 

Javillonar churned out 15 points and two rebounds in only 16 minutes of play while young gun Kevin Santos chipped in a double-double output of 14 markers and 10 boards laced with a block. 

“Slow start kami and no excuses for us. Credits to the players for stepping up sa second half. Nag-rely lang kami sa defense na gusto namin maging identity moving forward,” said Letran head coach Rensy Bajar.

Down 42-35 in the third period, Letran unleashed a furious 13-2 rampage to take a 48-44 cushion with Javillonar scoring seven of his overall output in that juncture. They headed to the payoff period enjoying a slim 54-50 lead. 

Santos then put on the finishing kick, dropping 12 of his 14-point production in the final frame with veteran gunner Kurt Reyson helping the cause with a triple to make it a 67-54 advantage in the final 3:44. — LA, GMA Integrated News

The Scores:

Wangs Strikers-Letran 71 – Javillonar 15, Santos 14, Guariano 8, Monje 8, Cuajao 7, Ariar 6, Reyson 5, Tolentino 4, Go 4, Laquindanum 0, Brillantes 0, Bojorcelo 0, Alarcon 0, Morales 0.

AMA 57 – Ceniza 20, Baclig 14, Alina 6, Panlilio 5, Camay 4, Del Rosario 3, Geronga 3, Peñano 2, Yamabao 0, Temporosa 0, K. Cruz 0, Ibo 0, A. Kruz 0, Cantoma 0, Fernandez 0.

Quarterscores: 20-17, 33-37, 54-50, 71-57.