LETRAN STAYS UNBEATEN AFTER NARROW WIN VS. LSGH

By: Miguel Marco

Colegio de San Juan de Letran proved its mettle as a Strong Group-backed squad, pulling off a gutsy escape against La Salle Green Hills, 70-69, in Group B of the NCAA Season 101 Juniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Nathan Agea delivered 15 points to steer the Squires to a perfect 3-0 record, keeping them unbeaten in Group B, while the Greenies suffered their first setback of the season, falling to 2-1.

Letran had to rally back after trailing 38-29 at halftime. The Squires erupted with a 22-13 third-quarter surge, capped by a Mico Pascual basket that tied the game at 51-all. Both sides traded blows until Letran reclaimed a slim lead heading into the fourth, 57-56.

In the closing stretch, with the game tied at 68, Patrick Pasinos split his free throws to put La Salle ahead by one. Pascual, however, quickly answered with a basket to swing the advantage back to Letran.

The Squires leaned on Pascual’s clutch defense in the final two minutes, as he blocked Jaime Teodoro’s attempt and later stopped Pasinos’ jumper to preserve the narrow win. Pascual finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Nickson Cabañero chipped in 11 markers.