WANGS Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran outlasted University of Perpetual Help System Delta, 62-61, to keep its bid for an outright semis berth going in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Kurt Reyson drilled a tough lay-up off the glass with seven seconds left and Letran foiled a desperated attempt by Perpetual's Cyrus Nitura at the buzzer to stretch its winning streak to three games.
The 3-2 Knights closeout their elimination assignment against reigning champion EcoOi-La Salle (4-1) on Thursday with the winner claiming the second outright ticket to the Final Four.
"May pag-asa pa sa semis. Ginusto ng mga bata na manalo para sa tsansa na 'yun. They worked hard for this," said Letran coach Rensy Bajar.
"In the end, our veteran players lead us to this win. Isa doon, si Reyson. Reyson is a born-winner. He's our leader. Kumbaga, binigay na namin sa kanya at luckily, na-shoot niya sa huli."
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Reyson finished with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals to spearhead the Knights, who cameback from a 14-point deficit in the second quarter.
Kobe Monje had 15 points and eight boards while Pao Javillonar and Kint Ariar added 10 points each for Letran.
It was a tough loss for the Altas, who led by as much as 39-25 in the second period.
After Reyson gave Letran a 60-59 lead, Perpetual went to Nitura who converted on a tough play for 61-60 advantage.
Then Reyson saved the day for Letran.
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After a timeout, Letran went to their star player, who called an isolation play before slicing through Perpetual's defense for the winner.
Arthur Roque and Nitura finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Perpetual (3-3). (JBU)
The Scores:
Wangs Strikers-Letran 62 - Monje 15, Reyson 13, Ariar 10, Javillonar 10, Fajardo 4, Santos 4, Alarcon 3, Tolentino 2, Cuajao 1, Go 0, Guarino 0.
Perpetual 61 - Roque 12, Nitura 11, Boral 8, Pagaran 7, Razon 6, Abis 6, Ferreras 5, Nunez 2, Ramirez 2, Barcoma 2, Movida 0.
Quarterscores: 11-20, 29-39, 48-49, 62-61.
