Letran nips JRU in OT, tops NC jrs first round

John Noble scored nine of his 30 points in overtime as Letran outlasted Jose Rizal University, 111-107, yesterday to top the first round of eliminations in the 83rd NCAA junior’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Noble scored underneath to force the overtime then completed a crucial three-point play off Russel Matias’ foul to give the Squires a four-point cushion, 108-104, with 1:16 left to play in the extra period.

Bon Jovi Cipriano, who scored a personal-high of 41 points, came through with a jumper to cut the lead at 106-108 before Kevin Alas, who led the Squires with 34 points, knocked in two pressure-packed charities to seal Letran’s fourth win in five games.

“We’re able to beat top teams San Sebastian and San Beda in the first round, but we expect them, together with JRU, to bounce back in the second round,” said Letran coach Elmer Latonio.

JRU dropped to 2-3.

Earlier, San Beda defeated defending champion San Sebastian, 83-73, to finish tied for second with 3-2 cards.

Dennis Bermas scattered 23 points to lead the Cubs, who held leading scorer Ryan Buenafe to just 25 points.

The 6-foot-3 Buenafe, who scored a season-high 44 points against JRU last week, shot 15-of-16 from the free throw line but struggled from the field with only 5 of 18 conversions.

In the third game, University of Perpetual Help defeated CSB-La Salle Greenhills, 78-73, for its first win this season.

The Junior Blazers dropped 2-3 in a tie with the Light Bombers.