LETRAN College leaned on the heroics of Nat Montecillo to bring down College of St. Benilde, 64-62, in the Manila Best Tournament basketball championship at the Trinity University of Asia gym in Quezon City.

Montecillo nailed the game-winner with three seconds left to power th eKnights of coach Allen Ricardo to their thirdwin in six matches in the 14-team tournament pitting the country’s top collegiate teams from different leagues.

Montecillo’s jumper came after Jake Gaspay of St. Benilde tied the score at 62-all with 13 seconds left.

Kobe Monje led the Knights with 11 points, followed by “Best Player of the Game” Kevin Santos and Montecillo with 10 points apiece.

James Nacua finished with 14 points for the Blazers, who suffered their third straight loss after winning their opening game.

In other results, Jose Rizal University toppled erstwhile unbeaten Centro Escolar University, 54-37; Olivarez College humbled Arandia College, 86-69; Arellano University outplayed University of the Philippines, 69-56; and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta edged Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, 74-72,

Ivan Panapanan, Mark Barrera and Joshua Guiab joined hands to power the Heavy Bombers to a surprisingly easy victory over the Scorpions.

Best Player of the Game Panapanan was the top scorer for the Louie Gonzale mentored Heavy Bombers with 12 points.

Barrera added 11 points and Guiab contributed 10 points in the Heavy Bombers’ fourth win in five matches.

The Sea Lions of coach Mike Saguiguit got 14 points from Best Player of the Game Jericho Rodriguez to improve their record to 2-2.

Ethan Gonatice had 19 markers for the Rhinos, who suffered their second straight loss after winning their first two assignments.

The Chiefs, who were handled by assistant coach Timothy Taclas in the absence of head coach Chico Manabat, leaned on the troika of Anjord Cabojate, Andrei Acop and Karl Flores to roll back the Maroons.

Cabojate topscored with 13 points for the Legarda-based school, followed by Best Player of the Game Acopand Flores with 12 points apiece.

Francis Nmokura, the 6-9 Nigerian center, led the way with a double-double of 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Maroons.

UP dropped to 3-2.

The Manila Best Tournament is sponsored by Philippine Air Lines, Smart Sports, JamReiBiz Watersports, EastPrint Clothing, Jasmine Crib at Malabrigo Batangas, VS & F Catering, Kick on your Feet Shoe and Apparel, Louie’s Buko, I Wellcare, Ezekiel’s Touch Health and Wellness Spa and Black Mamba Energy Drinks.

The tournament is supported by Armstrong Philippines, Fil Nation Select, MS Elite Basketball Saudi Arabia, Youth Basketball Coaches PH, Philippine Amateur Basketball Referees Organization (PABRO) and Samahan Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Former International referee Carlito Camorongan heads the technical committee.

Standings:

Jose Rizal 4-1; Arellano 3-1; CEU 2-1,
OLFU 2-1; UP 3-2, Mapua 3-2; Letran 3-3;
Lyceum 2-2, Olivarez 2-2, Arandia 2-2; UPHSD 2-3; St Benilde 1-3; AIMS 0-3, Ateneo 0-3.