Letran College leaned on Mark Cruz’s career game to pull off an 84-77 overtime stunner over streaking Jose Rizal University in Friday’s 90th National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball action at The Arena in San Juan City.
Cruz, the fourth-year guard from the school’s vaunted juniors program, erupted for 26 points on seven-for-14 field goals with five steals. He scored 10 during the overtime period, including back-to-back treys in the first two minutes, to ignite the Knights’ effort to gain a slot in the final four during the second round.
Letran – which shot a paltry one-for-10 shooting from the field in the first period – forced the overtime period when Kevin Racal found an awaiting Jamil Gabawan under the basket for an easy two with 29.2 seconds remaining in regulation left to knot the ballgame at 70-all.
In the extension, Cruz and second-year guard Rey Nambatac built an eight point lead that eventually withstood a late challenge by the Heavy Bombers.
Nambatac contributed 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while John Tambeling added 12.
“The players didn’t give up until the end. Our problem in this game is that we really started slow. The good thing about it is the way we ended the game. Despite holding a six point lead, JRU eventually led and our players never lost their composure,” said Letran Head Coach Caloy Garcia.
“Going into the overtime, I just told them the opportunity was there and so is our composure. There were times in the game where we could have made our lead bigger. I just told them that they should start taking care of the ball,” he added.
The Knights, which won their second straight game after beating four-time defending champion San Beda College in their first round ender, hold a 4-6 won-lost slate and are mired in a similar situation two years ago.
Mark Cruz, who was a sophomore during their run to the finals in 2012, believes that they still have a shot at sneaking into the round of four.
“We have a chance of entering the Final Four if we play every game like this,” said Cruz.
Philip Paniamogan tied his career-high 26 points set earlier this season, while center Abdul Wahab Abdul Razak scattered 13 points and 21 rebounds in the loss.
Jose Rizal ends their four-game winning streak and drops to 6-4, tied with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde for third place.
