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| Kevin Santos, despite all the struggles, delivered in crunch time for Letran. NCAA |
MANDALUYONG--Kevin Santos struggled to find his rhythm almost game long for Letran in a marquee NCAA Sunday match-up against College of St. Benilde.
However, when he finally made a shot, it was the most crucial of all.
Santos' lone bucket of the afternoon turned out to be the decider as the Knights stunned the Blazers, 71-69, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Entering the eventual game-winning play 0-for-5 from the field, Santos was still entrusted with the clutch moment as Nat Montecillo dished a drop pass on him, leading to a layup with 13.3 seconds left that broke the last deadlock of the game.
Anton Eusebio had a golden chance to steal the win for CSB, but his three-point attempt rattled out before the final buzzer sounded.
Vince Cuajao led Letran, which joined a tie for third place with Perpetual Help and San Beda at 3-2, with 20 points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal.
Jimboy Estrada added 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.
Tony Ynot put up 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Allen Liwag added 12 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists for CSB, which lost for the first time this season after a 4-0 start.
With the Blazers, the last undefeated team entering Sunday, already dropping one game, there will be no more stepladder playoffs, and the NCAA will revert to the traditional Final Four format.
The scores:
LETRAN 71 - Cuajao 20, Estrada 17, Javillonar 13, Montecillo 8, Monje 8, Santos 2, Nunag 2, Galoy 1, Delfino 0, Dimaano 0, Baliling 0, Miller 0, Jumao-As 0, Pradella 0
ST. BENILDE 69 - Ynot 15, Liwag 12, Sangco 11, Torres 7, Cajucom 6, Sanchez 5, Eusebio 5, Ancheta 4, Cometa 2, Oli 2, Morales 0, Turco 0
Quarterscores: 20-14, 35-41, 46-55, 71-69
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