FilOil: Letran Knights pull off comeback, out-joust EAC Generals

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights charged past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 78-71, in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup elimination round, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

It was the third win of Letran, allowing them to improve their to 3-1. Meanwhile, EAC remained winless, falling to 0-4 and tying the Lyceum University of the Philippines Pirates at the cellar position.

After trailing for the first 25 minutes of the game, the Knights overran the Generals with a 24-3 charge that bridged the last two quarters, allowing them to stake out a 69-52 lead. EAC then replied with a 12-3 spurt to reduce their deficit to just a single digit, just over three minutes remaining in the game.

Unfortunately, EAC's own errors betrayed them late. Loose ball fouls, plus a Ford Ruaya put-back, prevented them from making significant ground with two minutes to play, 77-65. Letran then made sure there were no more slip-ups on their end until the final buzzer sounded.

Both teams played an up-tempo game in the first quarter, looking for early shots and transition attempts. The Generals gained some separation after finding their rhythm in their halfcourt sets, as Gigi Manga scattered seven markers in a crucial 11-5 run, giving EAC a 22-21 lead after the first period.

The Knights' forays into the shaded lane were repelled early in the second quarter, while an Igee King triple highlighted a 7-3 swing for EAC, 30-24. But the shots stopped falling as soon as Letran quickened their defensive rotations, and aggressive play at the rim by Jonathan Belorio and Raymond Almazan pushed them within one, 34-33, with three minutes to play.

However the Generals did not concede any ground and countered Letran early in the clock to retain a 40-38 advantage after two quarters.

EAC made 17-of-35 shots in the first half (49 percent), while Letran made 14-of-40 (35 percent). Despite an 11-6 offensive rebounding edge, the Knights only mustered an 8-6 tally in second-chance points.


Franz Dysam collected an and-one when play resumed, notching five points to lead by a nose, 45-42. The Generals' Francis Munsayac returned the favor by keying seven unanswered points, culminating in a Jolas Paguia fast break, 49-45.

However, EAC would rarely find those same looks the rest of the way, as Letran made it a point to get back in transition, while connecting with cutters around the basket for high-percentage looks. The Generals converted only one more field goal as the Knights finished the last five minutes on an 11-3 run, leading 56-52 after the third period.

Mark Cruz opened up a double-digit lead for the Knights at the onset of the fourth quarter, draining consecutive triples, while Rey Nambatac feasted at the rim to churn out 13 unanswered points, 69-52, just over two minutes into the frame.

The Generals called a timeout to stop the bleeding and chipped away against a complacent Letran squad. Manga provided five points in a 12-3 rally to cut the lead to single digits, 72-64, with three minutes to play, but EAC could not fully overcome the hole they dug for themselves, resulting in a Letran win.

Raymond Almazan continued to dominate down low for Letran, finishing this time with 16 points and 12 rebounds, both team-highs. Mark Cruz and Ford Ruaya chipped in 13 apiece, with Cruz coming up with three steals as well. Rey Nambatac provided nine markers, four boards, seven dimes and two swipes.

Gigi Manga paced the Generals with a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds. Jan Jamon scattered 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Francis Munsayac had 10 points and six assists.

Letran forced 20 EAC turnovers and converted those into 15 turnover points. The Knights also got to the line 24 times, 11 more than EAC, and converted 16 of those free throws.  - AMD, GMA News


Quarter scoring: 21-23, 38-40, 56-52, 78-71