Mapua survives Letran in OT to extend win streak to 4

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua University refused to back down from the fight and outlasted Colegio de San Juan de Letran in overtime to notch its fourth consecutive victory, 69-67, in the  NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday afternoon, Oct. 12, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Mapua held a 53-38 advantage with 4:23 left in the third, but Letran’s Chad Gammad hit back-to-back threes, and Nathaniel Montecillo added another to make it 53-46. Justine Cargo and Kevin Santos closed the gap further as the period ended 53-50. Gammad tied it at 53-all with another triple to open the fourth, but Jamal Diaz answered with a two-pointer and free throw for a 56-53 Cardinals lead. After Yam Concepcion and Santos traded buckets, Cargo’s layup put the Knights ahead 59-58. Justine Hugo made it 61-58 with 56.2 seconds left, but Lazarte’s and-1 forced overtime at 61-all. The Cardinals took control in overtime with Marcus Nitura and Lance Nitura chipping in their forces, ending the regulation with a 69-67 victory. Yam Concepcion, Lance Nitura, Marc Cuenco, Marcus Nitura, Jamal Diaz, and Ivan Lazarte all scored identically with 11 points. Letran was led by Chad Gammad, who made 18 markers. Mapua and Letran both have a 4-3...