NU averts collapse, ousts top seed Letran in FilOil preseason tiff

National University nearly wasted a double-digit lead, but still managed to pull off a 79-77 upset win against NCAA top seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Friday. 

The Bulldogs, who ended the elimination round at the fourth spot in the UAAP side of the bracket, advanced to the semifinals where they fill face either University of Santo Tomas or Emilio Aguinaldo College. 

The returning Jake Figueroa marked his comeback from a two-game absence with 21 points, six rebounds, four steals, and and one assist while Jolo Manansala chipped in 16 markers, six boards, and three dimes to help turn back a gutsy comeback from the Knights. 

Letran unleashed a third quarter uprising, erasing a 14-point deficit thanks to a 21-11 rampage that allowed the Knights to pull within four before heading to the payoff period, 64-60. 

But the Bulldogs roared to another 14-point cushion after an Omar John jumper for a 75-61 advantage. 

The Knights, though, turned to a rookie in Luiz Tapenio in their last desperate comeback attempt. The young forward split a free throw before scoring an and-one basket that cut Letran's deficit to three, 74-77. 

Deo Cuajao then made a crucial three-pointer that made it a one-point ballgame at 77-78 before Figueroa sank one of his two freebies to give NU enough cushion in the last three seconds. 

Jonathan Manalili had the chance to make another basket but the incoming rookie lost the ball in the last possession. 

Manalili paced Letran with an all-around outing of 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals while Kevin Santos and Deo Cuajao both churned out 14 markers in the losing cause.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News