Playing only in the first four minutes of the first half, Cedric Noube Happi was fielded in the second half like a refueled tank as he came in hustling, scoring, and providing muscle for the resurgent Generals of Emilio Aguinaldo College.

However, his heroics miserably dipped when he threw a three-pointer that hit nothing but air, with around 18 seconds in the shotclock in the waning minute of the game, when his team was set to upset last year’s runners-up.

Then statistical monster Raymond Almazan and scrappy rookie Rey Nambatac played scavengers to their fallen prey, lording in the paint and scoring from follow-ups en route to the Letran Knights’ second win in a row to open their NCAA Season 89 campaign with a 79-74 conquest over the Generals.

“Buong team ang nagtrabaho,” commented Almazan, who led the Knights with 15 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks, after the game. “Sa basketball, lahat nadadaan sa tyaga.”

His hard work paid off despite leading scorer Mark Cruz’s fall due to cramps in the endgame by either blocking or altering the Generals’ inside stabs in the fourth quarter. His efforts were rewarded when he scored the last basket of the game, a breakaway dunk that broke the Generals’ final stand and put the Letran crown in frenzy.

It was not an easy game for the Knights, though, as, like their opener versus the San Sebastian, they had to battle a last quarter storm by their foes.

Despite leading by as much as 13 in the third quarter, the Generals employed sterling individual and zone defense to clog the shaded lane for the Knights and scoring on set plays in the process to cut the lead to as much as two in the fourth quarter.

To cast fear to the Knights, General shooter Jorem Morada shot two clutch treys in the last two minutes to pump life to EAC. Still, Letran’s offensive and defensive hustle prevailed.

“Sluggish man kami maging hanggang sa dulo,” said Letran coach Caloy Garcia, “Still, we tapped the strength of the team, na mas kumportable kami sa open court, kaya dapat madali lang saming i-beat ang sona ng EAC.”

With the win, Letran emerged as the solo leader of the tournament with a 2-0 card while the Generals suffered its second defeat after being routed by Perpetual Help last Thursday. The Generals were led by Morada, who scored 22 points on top of four three-pointers.

In the first game, Arellano University avenged its opening loss by raiding the Lyceum Pirates’ ship, 68-60, amid physicality and the ejection of erstwhile leading scorer Levi Hernandez in the third quarter due to an apparent elbow on Issah Mbomiko’s head.

“Mahalaga yung mental toughness and emotional stability,” commented coach Koy Banal on the performance of his team. “I keep [on] reminding the boys, if you’re gonna hit back, you’re only thinking about yourself. Thankfully, lahat ng players, nag-step up in spite [of] the physicality and intensity of the game.”

Back-up point guard Jiovani Jalalon led the Chiefs in Hernandez’s absence by scoring 13 points, nine of which came in the second half. Hernandez was their man in the first half, who scored 11 points.

The Pirates, who won their opener by upsetting defending champs San Beda Red Lions on Monday fell at 1-1 together with the Chiefs, the Lions, and the Stags. They were led by Mbomiko, who scored 18 points.

BOX SCORES
First game
ARELLANO (68): Jalalon 13, Hernandez 11, Enriquez 10, Forrester 8, Pinto 7, Agovida 6, Caperal 4, Gumaru 4, Bangga 3, Salcedo 2, Cadavis 0, Nicholls 0, Margallo 0
LYCEUM (60): Mbomiko 18, Mendoza 14, Ko 7, Lacastesantos 6, Francisco 6, Baltazar 4, Zamora 3, Azores 2, Ambohot 0, Lesmoras 0, Garcia 0, Soliman 0
QUARTERS: 17-5, 33-26, 53-42, 68-60
 
Second game
LETRAN (79): Cruz 18, Almazan 15, Nambatac 13, Ruaya 11, Gabawan 8, Racal 5, Luib 5, Dysam 4, Publico 0, Buenaflor 0, Tambeling 0
EAC (74): Morada 22, Arquero 20, Happi 10, King 7, Jamon 5, Tayongtong 4, Paguia 2, Hiole Manga 2, Castro 2, Munsayac 0
QUARTERS: 14-18, 44-37, 63-57, 79-74