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Photo Credited to: Maverick Rhoy De Vera, The LANCE
Colegio de San Juan de Letran edged the University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA in triple-overtime, 82-73, to snatch solo second in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Deo Cuajao led the Intramuros-based team with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, along with two steals. Nathaniel Montecillo, meanwhile, blew up 14 markers, six boards, two assists, and a steal, while Jimboy Estrada and Kevin Santos dropped 12 points and 15 rebounds each and Joseph Nunag contributed 11 points.
The Knights saw themselves in adversity in the first half as the gutsy Perpetual Altas powered up their defense, forcing the former to fail in controlling the ball and securing baskets.
The Muralla squad once again tried to look for solutions against the fiery offense executed by the Altas as the latter showcased their scoring efficiency early in the third canto, with Gojo Cruz, Shawn Orgo, and Christian Pagaran draining consecutive long shots and Jearico Nunez sinking a basket, thereby escalating the lead into double digits, 34-20.
Nunag, Miller, and Cuajao took the initiative in reducing the gap but Perpetual’s responses were too hot to handle.
While the Knights seemed to establish their momentum after Javillonar put up a drive in the last four minutes of the final quarter, it was Santos who set down the finishing touches for the team after hitting a putback with 6 seconds to go, forcing the first overtime as the score tied to 52.
The Altas’ veteran big man JP Boral erupted eight points in a row to give his team a comfortable 60-55 cushion in the No.1 OT. However, Cuajao shot a three and Santos again threw a hoop that led to a tie and pushed another extension of the match.
Both squads exchanged baskets, with Montecillo firing a three from the corner in the 46.2 seconds mark to make the score 68-all, thereby moving into the third extra period.
Montecillo’s triple and Estrada’s jumper in the early two minutes of the third overtime stretched Letran’s lead to five, 73-68, but UPHSD’s Pagaran and Gelsano made labor to erase the deficit. Estrada, however, delivered crucial clutches nearing the end, sinking two consecutive baskets and two charities with 12 seconds remaining to claim the victory.
“A win is a win”
In a post-game interview with The LANCE, Letran head coach Allen Ricardo shared that despite being behind the opposing team, they know how to make a comeback as such a situation had already been practiced by the squad.
"A win is a win pero syempre babalikan namin 'yung mga naging mistakes namin. But you know, hats off to Perpetual. Talagang ang galing ng mga players ni Coach Olsen," said Ricardo.
Jimboy Estrada, meanwhile, explained what must be maintained going forward to his first San Beda game in the NCAA.
“Huwag lang bibitaw sa depensa at opensa at saka ‘yung pagod kailangan nandyan lang at hindi mawawala,” he said.
Following this hard-earned match, which made it the first NCAA game to go into triple overtime in a decade, Letran improved to 5-2, only behind the Benilde Blazers, while the Perpetual fell to 4-3.
The Knights will play against SBU Red Lions on Tuesday at 2:30 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Scores:
Letran 82 – Cuajao 19, Montecillo 14, Estrada 12, Santos 12, Nunag 11, Miller 8, Javillonar 6, Dimaano 0, Baliling 0, Go, Jumao-As 0, Delfino 0
Perpetual Help 73 – Pagaran 14, Boral 14, Orgo 11, Gojo Cruz 9, Pizarro 8, Gelsano 6, Nuñez 4, Montemayor 3, Abis 2, Manuel 2, Thompson 0
Quarter Scores: 11-10, 20-23, 37-45, 52-52, 60-60, 68-68, 82-73