Three-peat seeking Letran streaked to its 9th win by downing Emilio Aguinaldo College, 84-77, in the NCAA Season 98 Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
This time, it was King Caralipio who struck hardest for the Knights, knocking down 12 of his 16 points in the payoff period that enabled them to book a berth in the Final Four.
He also had 11 rebounds as the Knights tallied their 12th win against three losses.
Caralipio also drained the last five points for the defending champions to fend off the challenge from the Generals.
Kurt Reyeson also shone for Letran with 14 points on a 3-of-7 from behind the arc while Fran Yu added 10 points, five assists, five steals and three rebounds.
Louie Sangalang chipped in 10 points, four boards and two blocks. It was another heartbreaking defeat for EAC, which was already out of Final Four contention, after rising to the occasion with a 63-60 lead heading into the payoff period. The Generals sank to 2-4 despite Nat Cosejo leading with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The scores:
LETRAN 84 – Caralipio 16, Reyson 14, Sangalang 10, Yu 10, Paraiso 8, Tolentino 7, Javillonar 5, Santos 4, Ariar 3, Olivario 3, Go 2, Monje 2, Guarino 0.
EAC 77 – Cosejo 21, Tolentino 17, Luciano 16, Dominguez 10, An. Doria 4, Quinal 4, Ad. Doria 3, Balowa 2, Angeles 0.
Quarters: 25-17; 38-41; 60-63; 84-77.
