By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--After impressively passing its first acid test against San Beda, Letran found itself in a tough position against a team it was expected to beat soundly in San Sebastian on Tuesday night.
Mark Cruz responded to the call.
The pint-sized point guard showed the biggest heart as the Knights fought back from 13 down to turn back the Golden Stags, 82-76, at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The graduating Cruz made six three-pointers, the last turned to the go-ahead four-point play with 54.1 seconds left to lead Letran to the comeback win.
The Knights found themselves trailing, 53-66, with about eight minutes left in the game when Cruz helped initiated their 20-7 run to tie the game, 73-all, with 1:35 remaining.
Jamil Ortuoste gave the Stags their last taste of the lead off a stepback triple, but Cruz answered with a trey of his own and hit the bonus free throw to put the Knights up, 77-76.
San Sebastian failed to convert on its last plays, and Rey Nambatac sealed Letran's fourth straight win with five straight points.
Cruz finished with 29 points, five assists, and seven steals while not committing any turnover the entire game, while Nambatac added 20 points, four assists, and three steals for Letran.
Ortuoste, on the other hand, tallied 25 markers, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal for San Sebastian, which committed a total of 43 turnovers and lost for the second straight time.
Box Scores:
Letran 82-Cruz 29, Nambatac 20, Sollano 13, Quinto 9, Racal 7, Luib 2, Publico 2, Apreku 0, Calvo 0, Balagasay 0
San Sebastian 76-Ortuoste 25, Calisaan 16, Fabian 11, Costelo 10, David 6, Guinto 4, Sibal 2, Capobres 2, Sibal 0, Pretta 0, Vera 0
Quarterscores: 27-23, 39-45, 52-62, 82-76
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