By: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights crumbled from the stern challenge of the Mapua University Cardinals. Photo Courtesy: Kim Yoshi Espiritu.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights crumbled from the stern challenge of the Mapua University Cardinals, 79-86, earlier today in the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Jace Miller, shined for his squad despite the loss — posting 14 points, four boards, and two dimes. The veterans, Kobe Monje and Deo Cuajao, chipped 14 and 13 points in 40 minutes of basketball action.
The Cardinals started fusing from all cylinders upon entering the ballgame, taking a 20-10 lead over the Knights. A quick turnaround happened at the 7-minute mark as Deo Cuajao shot a point-blank trey over the reigning MVP, Clint Escamis. Miller followed suit, taking a trifecta of his own to earn a single-point cushion in an electric 13-scoring run. Mapua’s Marc Cuenco regains the leverage for their squad, however Charles Dimaano scores another foul-counted shot to end the first frame in their favor, 28-27.
Each cager on the playing field was fueled to stay on top, forcing this match to the razor's edge. As the Blue shirts contributed points apiece, they were able to knot the half at 44-all. Kobe Monje spearheaded the squad with eight markers built on three made field goals.
A similar story from the recent round’s outing was witnessed by ball fans from Intramuros in the third phase of this match-up. The peskiness in Mapua’s transition defense proved too much to handle as Letran’s offensive production was sparse – losing grasp of the lead, 59-66.
Yam Concepcion’s baseline drive widened the gap for his team early in the fourth. Trying to keep the team steady in contention, the rookie hailing from Las Vegas entered Miller time as he scored 7-straight points that included a one-legged buzzer beating three with 7:20 remaining on the clock. The Cardinals’ pivot man, Chris Hubilla, continues a stellar play with his post-perimeter jumper that was immediately followed by a John Recto basket to take a game-high 11-point gap.
Some final-minute shots were successful from Cuajao, Miller, and Montecillo before eventually crumbling down to their neighboring opponents.
Hubilla flirted with a near triple-double in their victory, claiming 19 points, 10 boards, and nine assists. John Recto and John Jabonete chimed in with 14 and 13 each.
Mapua’s lead coach, Randy Alcantara, lauds their highly touted captain’s execution of his role on the floor. With a minimized influence on the attacking side, Escamis hampered the Knights’ gameplan with his active hands – reminding them why he was the top defender a season ago.
Now that Letran was tilted off the final four picture, the stakes are raised high for their next game on October 22, against the San Sebastian Golden Stags in the same venue.
QUARTER SCORES: 28-27, 44-44, 59-66, 78-86
LETRAN (78) - Miller 14, Monje 14, Cuajao 13, Montecillo 7, Go 6, Santos 6, Dimaano 5, Tagotongan 5, Jumao-as 4, Delfino 2, Nunag 2, Sarza 0.
MAPUA (86) - Hubilla 19, Recto 14, Jabonete 13, Mangubat 10, Bancale 9, Cuenco 7, Escamis 5, Abdulla 4, Concepcion 3, Garcia 2, Fermin 0, Ryan 0.