Cruz, Nambatac team up anew as Letran wards off EAC

MANILA, Philippines – Letran College again banked on their explosive backcourt duo of Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac, disposing of Emilio Aguinaldo College, 78-71, in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan on Monday.

After a nip-and-tuck affair in the first three quarters, Cruz and Nambatac conspired in a 13-0 Letran blast to open the final canto with a 69-52 lead. The Knights never looked back from there.

"We're still adjusting with our game as shown with our slow start and because Raymond (Almazan) was not in practice because of his (PBA) D-League stint," said Letran head coach Caloy Garcia.

"But what is important is we have the players that want to win and can make shots," added Garcia.

Raymond Almazan paced the Knights with 16 points while Cruz and Ford Ruaya added 13 points each.

"Nag-a-adjust pa ako kasi mga beterano kalaban ko pero noong last quarter, naging loose na ako (I’m still adjusting because I’m going against veterans but in the last quarter, I was already loose)," said Nambatac, who scattered seven points and dished out four assists in the crucial stretch of the fourth quarter.

Gigi Manga led the Generals with 18 points while Jan Jamon chipped in 15.

Letran improved to 3-1 (win-loss) while Emilio Aguinaldo remains winless in four games.