Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers–Letran eliminated AMA Online in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday with a 71-57 victory at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Pao Javillonar posted 15 points in 16 minutes and the Knights limited the Titans to seven points in the fourth quarter to pull away, en route to their second straight win.
Letran, the reigning three-time NCAA champion, improved to 2-2 and gained a piece of the fourth spot with Perpetual Help University System Delta entering the homestretch of the seven-team tourney.
“Slow start kami and no excuses for us. Credits to the players for stepping up sa second half. Nag-rely lang kami sa defense na gusto namin maging identity moving forward,” said coach Rensy Bajar.
Letran opened an early 15-7 lead but AMA slowly picked up its rhythm and outscored the Knights, 30-18, to go up at 37-33 at the break.
The Titans stayed hot in the third quarter and took its biggest lead at 42-35.
But Knights battled back and regained a 48-44 lead entering the payoff period.
Kevin Santos scored 14-points nad grabbed 10-rebounds while Kobe Monje and Neil Guariano chipped in eight each for Letran.
Earl Ceniza and Baclig had 20 and 14 points, respectively, for the Titans, who stayed listless at 0-5.
