By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM—Rey Nambatac sizzled for 30 points and led a furious Letran comeback to subdue Adamson, 78-73, in their FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup match on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
With the Knights down 54-64 with 5:57 left, Nambatac scored four straight points to cut the deficit to six, 58-64, with 4:45 to go.
The Soaring Falcons, who rallied in the third quarter to take the lead, stretched it to nine, 67-58, with 3:48 remaining after a free throw from Papi Sarr and a basket by Dawn Ochea.
The Knights, however, mounted a 13-1 rally capped by a three-pointer from Nambatac to lead, 71-68, with 2:20 left.
Jersey Pedrosa kept Adamson in the game after scoring on a layup plus the foul to cut the gap to one, 71-70, with 2:01 left. Pedrosa, however, missed the bonus free throw, and Nambatac completed a three-point play of his own at the other end to widen the lead to four, 74-70, with 1:11 left.
Pedrosa missed a jumper in the next play, and Mark Cruz added two more charities to put the Knights up, 76-70, with 19.5 seconds remaining.
The Falcons opted for a quick Sarr deuce in the next play, bringing them to within four, 72-76, with 15.1 seconds to go.
Nambatac, however, put the game out of their reach as he nailed the insurance free throws with 13.3 seconds left, capping a 20-point second half explosion.
He also dished two assists and grabbed three steals.
Sarr led Adamson with 20 points, 19 rebounds, and two blocks.
Box Scores:
Letran 78-Nambatac 30, Sollano 10, Quinto 9, Luib 8, Publico 6, Balanza 4, Apreku 3, Cruz 2, Calvo 2, Dela Peña 2, Bernabe 2, Balagsay 0
Adamson 73-Sarr 20, Margallo 12, Pedrosa 9, Pasturan 8, Tungcab 7, Ochea 6, Nalos 4, Gumtang 3, Aquino 2, Villanueva 2, Butron 0, Capote 0
Quarterscores: 20-12, 36-35, 52-57, 78-73
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