Kevin Santos exploded with a career-high performance as Letran edged Emilio Aguinaldo College, 75-73, in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Santos drained 17 points and collared seven rebounds in 29 minutes of action, enough to steer the Knights to their fourth victory against two defeats and tie them at second with the University of Perpetual Help Altas.

Still on a high from a morale-boosting 71-69 win over powerhouse College of St. Benilde last Sunday, Sept. 22, Letran immediately went down into business as it launched a quick 25-15 in the opening frame.

They led by as many as 17 points early in the third, 50-33, before King Gurtiza, Gelo Loristo and Kyle Jacob fired up EAC’s assault in the last 6:08 of the game to cut the deficit to only three, 66-63.

But that turned out to be EAC’s last stand as Letran protected its lead until time ran out.

Vince Cuajao also shone for the Knights with 14 points, while Jimboy Estrada and Paolo Javillonar added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Gurtiza scored 19 points for the Generals, but struggled overall as he shot 6-of-21 from the field.

The scores:

LETRAN 75 – Santos 17, Cuajao 14, Estrada 11, Javillonar 10, Montecillo 9, Miller 8, Nunag 4, Jumao-As 2, Tagotongan 0, Galoy 0, Dimaano 0, Pradella 0, Baliling 0.

EAC 73 – Gurtiza 19, Loristo 11, Jacob 11, Doromal 7, Oftana 6, Ochavo 4, Pagsanjan 4, Luciano 3, Bacud 3, Lucero 2, Bagay 2, Postanes 1, Quinal 0, Devara 0, Umpad 0.

Quarters: 25-15; 47-33; 60-56; 75-73.