Letran ends slump with win vs Lyceum

Letran snaps two-game losing skid after a 96-86 win over Lyceum in the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament Thursday afternoon at San Juan Arena.

Coming off losses to Arellano and rival San Beda, respectively, the Knights got back to the win column with a 4-2 record in Group B.

“This win is really important for our team morale,” Denzil Sison-Walker said after dropping 15 points, six rebounds and three steals.

“We didn’t want to dwell on our previous losses but we also couldn’t ignore the fact that we lost back-to-back. It was crucial that we got the win today.”

The Knights led for much of the game, holding an 85-67 lead halfway through the fourth quarter.

The Pirates, who dropped their fourth straight game, showed their grit with a 9-0 run to cut the lead to single digit, 85-76, with 2:59 to go.

Back-to-back buckets from Kevin Santos and Justin Cargo, however, restored order for the Knights as they built the deciding 89-76 cushion with 2:19 remaining in the game.

The Knights’ win, however, came with a scare as Jonathan Manalili absorbed an awkward fall in the 1:55 mark of the fourth that saw him clutch his right knee as he was carried out of the floor.

Manalili finished with a double-double of 23 points and 12 assists. Jimboy Estrada top scored for Letran with 25 markers while Chad Gammad helped the cause with 12 to his name.

Matthew Rubico paced Lyceum with 21 points while Roger Ondoa chipped in 17 markers and six boards in the Pirates’ fifth loss of the season (1-5).