SAN JUAN, MM—Bong Quinto scored the go-ahead basket and two win-sealing free throws as Letran held off CSB, 68-64, in their FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup match at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Friday.
Quinto made a hook shot off a feed from Jerrick Balanza with 22.6 seconds left to put the Knights up, and their defense prevented the Blazers from countering to escape with the hard-fought victory.
Letran had a chance to pull away with 3:43 left as J.J. Domingo, who fired back-to-back threes midway through the fourth to lead CSB's final charge, fouled out of the contest after hacking Jerrick Balanza and resented the call, leading to a technical foul. Balanza, however, missed his two free throws, Rey Nambatac muffed his technical free throw as well. McJour Luib hit a basket to put Letran up, 62-59, with 2:42 remaining.
CSB tied the game, 62-all, as Raph Nayve hit a free throw and J.R. Ongteco scored a layup entering the 2-minute warning.
Nayve eventually put the Blazers up, 63-62, with his second free throw with 1:42 left, but the split left the door open for the Knights to take the win.
After both teams fired blanks in a 47-second stretch, Quinto made a field goal to put Letran up, 64-63, with 55.4 seconds left.
Nayve only got a split again from the foul line, and the game was tied, 64-all, with 37.8 seconds left. Quinto scored the go-ahead shot in the next play.
Nayve missed a potential equalizer in the next play, and Quinto capped his clutch performance with two charities with 7.2 seconds left that iced the game. The Knights ended the match with a steal against Fons Saavedra.
Quinto finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists for Letran, which is now in third place in Group A at 5-2. Jomari Sollano added 11 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks.
Ongteco led CSB, which outscored Letran, 18-9, in the second quarter to take a 35-27 lead, with 16 points and ten rebounds.
Box Scores:
Letran 68-Quinto 15, Luib 14, Sollano 11, Nambatac 8, Balanza 8, Publico 8, Apreku 2, Calvo 2, Bernabe 0, Dela Peña 0
CSB 64-Ongteco 16, J.J. Domingo 16, Jonson 12, Nayve 5, Deles 5, Grey 4, Saavedra 3, Fajarito 3, Sta. Maria 0, J.S. Domingo 0, Young 0
Quarterscores: 18-17, 27-35, 46-46, 68-64
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