Knights defuse Bombers in OT; Blazers triumph

Mark Cruz fired 10 of his career-high 26 points in overtime as Letran pulled off an 84-77 overtime victory over Jose Rizal U to bolster its Final Four bid in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The diminutive Cruz’s explosion in extension actually made up for his scoreless stint in the fourth quarter and capped the Knights’ big comeback in regulation that stopped the Bombers’ four-game run while keeping them in the semis hunt with a 4-6 card.

“I wasn’t able to contribute in the fourth quarter so when we managed to send it to overtime, I told myself not blow this second chance to help the team,” said Cruz, who scattered 16 points in the first three quarters.

Jamil Gabawan, left open underneath, took an inbound pass from Kevin Racal and knocked it in to force overtime at 70.

Then Cruz took charge, burying two triples as the Knights raced to an eight-point lead. The top Letran playmaker hit four free throws to secure the victory for the Muralla-based squad.

St. Benilde turned back a Noube Happi-less Emilio Aguinaldo, 83-76, later in the day to join Jose Rizal U at third at 6-4.

Paolo Taha came away with 24 points as the Blazers matched their total victories last season with eight games still left to play. The Generals fell to 3-7. Racal also finished with seven points, six rebounds and five assists while Rey Nambatac scored 21 points.

“They’re the leaders of this team and I’m not surprised that they stepped up when we needed them,” said Letran coach Caloy Garcia, referring to Cruz and Racal.

Philip Paniamogan sizzled with 24 points and outshot Cruz after three quarters. But the Knights clamped down on the ace JRU gunner, whom they held to just two points in the last 10 minutes of play.