Co-captain Mark Cruz scored 26 points to help Letran defeat JRU in overtime. KC Cruz
Letran leaned on the heroics of co-captain Mark Cruz in overtime as it turned back Jose Rizal, 84-77, to post its first streak in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan on Friday.
Cruz poured in 10 of his career-high 26 points in OT including a pair of booming triples that helped the Knights seal their fourth win against six losses while lighting up their flickering Final Four hopes.
"He's one of the leaders of this team and today he showed why," said Letran coach Caloy Garcia of Cruz.
An 8-0 blast highlighted by two back-breaking three-pointers by Cruz to start extra time was what Letran needed to blow the Bombers away.
After Jose Rizal answered with five straight points to cut it to three points, 75-78, with about a minute to go, Cruz made four free throws that helped ice the game.
Philip Paniamogan was on his way to a career performance after exploding with 24 points in the first three quarter alone. But the Cagayan de Oro native scored only two points the rest of the way to end up with 26, which matched his previous best.
Paniamogan's late implosion hastened the Bombers' downfall as they absorbed a fourth defeat against six wins.
After Jose Rizal's Michael Mabulac banged in a high-looper shot to give Jose Rizal a 70-68 lead with half a minute left in regulation, Kevin Racal, the other Letran leader, found an open Jamil Gabawan, whom he inbounded to for the equalizing basket.
It turned out the shot that forced OT as Mabulac misfired on the next play and Cruz heaved a desperation shot that was way off.
College of St. Benilde moved into a tie for third place with a win over EAC. KC Cruz
In the second game, College of St. Benilde climbed into a tie for third place with JRU after an 83-76 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Paolo Taha led the way for the Blazers with 24 points.
The scores:
First Game
Letran 84- Cruz 26, Nambatac 21, Tambeling 12, Quinto 8, Racal 7, Gabawan 5, Saldua 3, Ruaya 2, Luib 0, Dela Pena 0, Singontiko 0, Publico 0
Jose Rizal 77- Paniamogan 26, Abdul Wahab 13, Mabulac 10, Lasquety 8, Sanchez 6, Teodoro 5, Asuncion 4, Grospe 3, Benavides 2, Balagtas 0
Quarters: 9-14; 34-33; 58-57; 70-all; 84-77 (OT)
Second Game
St. Benilde 83- Taha 24, Grey 14, Romero 10, Ongteco 9, Bartolo 7, Jonson 6, Mercado 3, Nayve 2, Pajarilla 2, Saavedra 2, Deles 2, Sinco 1, Altamirano 1
EAC 76- Onwubere 19, Aguilar 17, Tayongtong 15, Jamon 11, Serrano 9, Arquero 5, Santos 0, Mejos 0, Saludo 0, Pascual 0
Quarters: 16-all; 39-35; 63-55; 83-76
