FilOil: Short-handed Knights shoot down Cardinals

Letran's Isan Dela Pena (23) manages to get a shot off against Jessie Saitanan (14) of Mapua. KC Cruz

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran rode to their first win of the FilOil Flying V Premier Cup, subduing the Mapua Cardinals 81-77 on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The NCAA runners-up were at Mapua's mercy for most of the game, but pulled together a 24-12 fourth quarter to grab the lead late and snare the W. The Knights managed to secure the victory despite playing without Mark Cruz and Ray Nambatac, who were respectively suffering from a pulled hamstring and an injured shooting arm.

 

"Entering the game we were without Nambatac and Cruz. I gave breaks to the other players because our purpose in the FilOil is to get more experience heading to the NCAA," said Letran coach Caloy Garcia. "We're not really a big team. We have lots of improvements but we need to improve because we cannot be complacent. We were down by 10 with six minutes into the game. Hindi ko naman sila sinisigawan, sila yung nagkusa na manalo, they pushed themselves."

Without Cruz, the Knights had trouble generating offense, relying on half court sets, while the Cardinals leaned on fast break baskets to get going. Letran gained separation after LJ Aquino hit a triple to give them a six-point lead. Mapúa rallied to tie the game, but Kevin Racal canned a trey from the top of the key to give his squad a 19-16 lead after the first quarter.

 

Letran led by as much as five early but Josan Nimes and Jessie Saitanan kept clawing back for the Cardinals, keeping them within deadlocks or a one-point deficit. Letran lived off open jump shots while Mapua still ran the break at every opportunity, though a three-pointer from Luib gave the Knights a 34-32 lead. The Cardinals however went on an 8-0 run to wrap up the first half, as Mapúa carried a 39-34 advantage to the second half.

 

Nimes' drive-and-dish game was in full swing at the start of the half, converting turnovers to points by finding the open man on the break as the lead reached it's zenith, 50-39. Letran had to distribute minutes at the point to three different people, with Racal, Luib, and Daryl Singontiko all playing floor general. The Knights cut the lead to just four points but the Cardinals took advantage of the penalty situation and shot their way to a 65-56 lead heading to the fourth frame.

 

The Knights punished the Cardinals' lackadaisical defense in the fourth, going on an 11-2 run which swung the lead and the momentum their way, 77-76, as they led for the first time after two quarters. Luib, who had the hot hand from the perimeter, sank a jumper over Andrew Estrella, and Felix Apreku converted on a second-chance opportunity to give them an 81-77 lead with a minute remaining. Rey Cantos failed to convert on two good looks and Letran dribbled out their first win, 81-77.

 

Nimes tallied 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in a losing effort. Estrella recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Saitanan logged 13 points and seven rebounds. The Cardinals beat the Knights in every category but slumped offensively in the final quarter, posting only 12 points.

 

The Knights (1-2) joust with Dexter Zamora and the LPU Pirates (2-1) next Friday at 12:30pm while the Cardinals (0-3) take on Group B linchpins and NCAA Champions San Beda (3-0) next Saturday, May 17 at 4pm. - JDL, GMA News

 

The scores:

CSJL 81 - Luib 18, Racal 16, Publico 8, Saldua 6, Quinto 6, Castro 6, Pantin 4, Gabawan 4, Apreku 4, Requejo 3, Singontiko 3, Aquino 3, Rusya 0, Vasquez 0, Dela Pena 0

MIT 77 - Nimes 24, Estrella 13, Saitanan 13, Eriobu 11, Cantos 9, Villasenor 6, Canaynay 1, Layug 0, Guzman 0

 

Quarter scoring: 19-16, 34-39, 57-65, 81-77