Nambatac powers Knights over Cardinals to reclaim top spot

MANILA, Philippines -- Rey Nambatac caught fire in the fourth quarter as Letran overcame a stubborn Mapua, 80-77, Friday to reclaim its old place on top in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Saddled with early foul woes, Nambatac unloaded 14 of his team-high 22 points in the last period to turn a seven-point deficit into the Knights' eighth win in nine outings, which sent them back to No. 1 ahead of idle San Beda (7-1).

"I have to give it to him (Nambatac), he played big even though he's coming into this game still recovering from a sprained ankle," said Letran coach Aldin Ayo, who returned from a one-game suspension.

Letran though looked headed to an easy victory when it erected a 48-27 lead late in the second quarter thanks to the troika of Nambatac, who had eight in the same period, Mark Cruz and rookie Jerrick Balanza.

But the Nigerian Allwell Oraeme willed Mapua back to within a point, 59-60, at the end of the third quarter.

Exeqiel Biteng then exploded from beyond the arc early in the final period as the Cardinals took a 67-60 lead.

And then Nambatac happened.

The bullstrong Oraeme had 22 points and a season-high 28 rebounds but the Cardinals missed Josan Nimes (back) and CJ Isit (elbow) as they fell to a fifth defeat against four wins.

Curiously, Mapua's loss came several days after a painful 87-90 defeat to the Jose Rizal Bombers in a game that saw the former blowing an 18-point lead with less than four minutes to go.

In juniors' action, Mapua routed Letran, 97-63, to end the first round at No. 2 with an 8-1 mark behind unbeaten San Beda.

La Salle-Greenhills relied on Ricci Rivero's 33-point performance as it down Arellano, 90-69, to improve to 5-4.

The Junior Chiefs fell to 6-2 while the Squires slid to 3-6.

The scores:
Letran 80- Nambatac 22, Cruz 16, Balanza 11, Luib 10, Racal 9, Quinto 8, Apreku 2, Sollano 2, Calvo 0, Balagasay 0. 

Mapua 77- Oareme 22, Biteng 15, Que 13, Serrano 8, Nieles 7, Menina 6, Aguirre 3, Raflores 2, Stevens 0, Villasenor 0, Brana 0. 

Quarterscores: 25-21; 53-38; 60-59; 80-77