LETRAN pulled the rug from under defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion National University, 59-56, as the Knights netted their biggest victory so far in the tournament and clinch a seat in the quarterfinals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday.
The Knights had to adjust without two of their top players—rookie Jerick Balanza (hip injury) and No. 1 scorer Rey Nambatac (scratched cornea)—in notching their sixth win in eight games in Group A.
Mark Cruz played true to form and topscored for Letran with 16 points, on top of four rebounds and three steals. Felix Apreku had 13 markers and 10 rebounds, while Jomari Sollano contributed 12 points and eight rebounds for the Knights.
In Group B action, University of Santo Tomas kept its flickering quarterfinal hopes alive after sending Southwestern University to its fifth loss, 66-59, while University of the East eliminated University of the Philippines, 70-67.
Ed Daquioag paced the Growling Tigers with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Ex-La Salle Greenhills forward Mario Bonleon filled the void left by Kevin Ferrer by adding 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for UST.
University of Perpetual Help leaned on Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie’s monster performance to end College of Saint Benilde’s Filoil campaign, 81-78, and kept its hopes up for the No. 1 seed in Group A.
Despite a short-handed lineup, the Knights played the same defensive intensity throughout the tournament that stifled the Bulldogs’ multiple comeback attempts late in the fourth quarter.
Letran Head Coach Aldin Ayo said that his veterans, especially captain Cruz, carried their cause to assure themselves at least a third place in the group and a date with either Centro Escolar University (CEU) or UE in the quarterfinals.
“I’m confident with our composure, especially ‘pag andoon ang mga veterans ko. They know what to do. Hinihila na ni Mark [Cruz], pinapabayaan ko na silang maglaro,” Ayo said.
Reden Celda played off the bench for Eric Altamirano’s squad, scoring 15 points for the Bulldogs. The team played without star combo guard Gelo Alolino, who was nursing an injury after their team’s out-of-town trip.
Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie, the Altas’ leading scorer and rebounder, put up a tournament-best 35 points and 20 rebounds to lead the squad, which played without reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Earl Thompson, who is on loan to the national team to the 28th Southeast Asian Games.
Image credits: Kevin de la Cruz