Colegio de San Juan de Letran survived yet another tough test, escaping Emilio Aguinaldo College, 72-68, for its third straight win in the NCAA Season 98 on Wednesday.
Brent Paraiso and Kurt Reyson combined to score 12 of Letran's 14 fourth quarter points to help their team slip past their opponents and pick up their sixth win in nine games to end their first round campaign.
King Caralipio topscored for Letran with 16 points while Paraiso added 15 markers and nine rebounds. Reyson, meanwhile, finished with 13, including seven points in the final period.
With EAC threatening in the penultimate period, the duo of Paraiso and Reyson knocked down three triples to end the frame ahead by four, 58-54.
Reyson opened the fourth with five straight points before Paraiso drilled two consecutive baskets for a 68-61 spread in the final 4:04.
But EAC again threatened as Adam Doria cut to the basket to trim their deficit, 68-65, before Adrian Balowa nailed a huge trey for a single possession game, 70-68.
EAC had the chance to tie or bag the win but a crucial turnover from JP Maguliano with 4.1 proved costly as Letran completed the win with Reyson freebies.
Letran improved to 6-3 to end the first round while EAC remained winless with a 0-8 slate.
EAC posed an early challenge for Letran with Allen Liwag and Doria helping the Generals keep the Knights at bay, erasing what once a 13-point deficit and turning into a 43-37 disadvantage to end the half.
Liwag dropped 14 points early while Doria, who missed a few games back, chipped in eight as EAC played without gunners King Gurtiza, Ralph Robin, and Joshua Tolentino.
EAC then unleashed a strong third quarter with Doria firing two triples as they tied the game at 47-all courtesy of a bucket from Nat Cosejo, who then gave them a 51-49 lead with 3:27 left in the frame.
But thanks to Reyson and Paraiso, the Knights were able to hold a 58-54 cushion heading to the fourth.
Liwag led the Generals with 20 points alongside seven rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.
The scores:
Letran 72 - Caralipio 16, Paraiso 15, Reyson 13, Yu 7, Monje 6, Javillonar 5, Santos 4, Olivario 2, Sangalang 2, Go 2, Bautista 0, Guarinio 0.
EAC 68 - Liwag 20, Ad. Doria 16, Balowa 15, Bajon 6, Maguliano 6, Cosejo 4, Angeles 1, Quinal 0, Luciano 0, An. Doria 0, Bacud 0, Umpad 0, Dominguez 0.
Quarters: 28-18, 43-37, 58-54, 72-68.
—JMB, GMA News
