Kevin Santos saves day as Letran turns back EAC in FilOil tilt

Kevin Santos was at the right time and the right place to save the day for Colegio de San Juan de Letran against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 68-66, in the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Friday.

With the game knotted at 66-all with 4.9 seconds left on the clock, the incoming sophomore soared for an offensive rebound after a missed layup from team captain Kurt Reyson to give the Knights the two-point lead and eventually the victory.

That turned out as Santos' first and only field goal in the game as he finished with two points, six rebounds, and two blocks in 14 minutes of action to help Letran come back from a 16-point deficit early in the third period.

The reigning three-time NCAA champion now forged a four-way tie at 5-2 with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and Mapua University.

Pao Javillonar churned out a double-double outing of 15 points and 10 rebounds while Nicko Fajardo dropped 13 markers off the bench.

EAC, who blew a 16-point lead, was led by Nat Cosejo who registered 22 points, six rebounds, one assist, and a steal while JC Luciano chipped in 10 markers and eight boards in the loss.

The Generals dropped to 2-5 ahead of their last two games in the elimination round against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on June 6 and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on June 7.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News