Reyson erupts for 31, Knights escape in OT

MANILA, Philippines — Three-peat-seeking Letran drew strength from Kurt Reyson’s game-long shooting brilliance and Fran Yu’s clutch free throws as the Knights pulled off an escape act against the upset-conscious Jose Rizal U Bombers, 101-97, in overtime in the NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre yesterday.

Reyson practically ran a shooting clinic and unleashed a career-high 31 points that he highlighted with six booming triples including one in regulation that forced OT while Yu hit the foul shots late in extra time to help seal the deal for the Knights and jumpstart their title-retention aspiration.

Actually, the Muralla-based dribblers almost dropped this one out, with the Bombers enjoying an 89-86 lead plus ball possession late in regulation only to disintegrate allowing Reyson to fire a trey that sent the game into extra play.

In OT, Letran blew a six-point lead and even trailed by one with a minute to go.

But again, JRU blew it away with catastrophic turnovers and poor shot selection.

Yu drained clutch free throws to finish off the Bombers.

In the other game, Lyceum of the Philippines U stunned last year’s runner-up Mapua, 76-67.

John Barba waxed hot with 16 points while Mclaude Guadana erupted for 11 of his 13 points in the second half to lead the Pirates in their upset win.