NCAA: Lance Nitura delivers as Mapua escapes Letran in OT

Mapua University’s Lance Nitura against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Lance Nitura delivered in overtime as Mapua University escaped Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 69-67, for its fourth straight win in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball on Monday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

The rookie drilled a crucial three-pointer in the extra period to extend Mapua’s lead to four, 68-64, with two minutes remaining, eventually finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

“It was close, but we’re thankful that we had the breaks of the game,” said Mapua head coach Chito Victolero, whose team forced Letran’s Justine Hugo to miss a last-second attempt that could have sent the match into a second OT.

Yam Concepcion, Marc Cuenco, Jamal Diaz, and Ivan Lazarte also scored 11 points apiece for the Cardinals, who climbed above .500 after opening their campaign with three straight losses.

Letran, meanwhile, absorbed its third consecutive defeat in seven outings while missing Titing Manalii, who is sidelined with a right knee sprain.

Chad Gammad led the Knights with 18 points built on four three-pointers, while Justin Cargo contributed 10 points, eight assists, and three steals.

However, Letran struggled at the free-throw line, missing nine of its 24 attempts en route to its second overtime loss of the season.

Mapua 69 — Concepcion 11, Nitura 11, Cuenco 11, Diaz 11, Lazarte 11, M. Nitura 6, Reyes 3, Igliane 2, Bernabe 2, Dones 1, Mendoza 0, Liwanag 0, Razon 0.

Letran 67  — Gammad 18, Estrada 13, Cargo 10, Montecillo 6, Walker 6, Santos 6, Buensalida 4, Hugo 4, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 20-15, 38-30, 53-49, 61-61, 69-67.