By: Aianna Xyril Monsod
Photo by: Augusto Urbano II
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran narrowly lost to Jose Rizal University, 86-90, in their NCAA Season 100 second-round clash on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Jimboy Estrada led the Knights with 29 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Jace Miller and Deo Cuajao added 16 and 13 points, respectively.
The Knights opened the game strong with James Jumao-as executing five points midway through the first quarter. However, the Heavy Bomber’s accurate perimeter shooting, spearheaded by Joshua Guiab, allowed the adversaries to take a 6-point cushion after the frame 22-28.
Letran dominated the second period, outscoring JRU 26-17 to take a 48-45 lead. Strong facilitating plays from Miller and Estrada, coupled with successful free-throw attempts, fueled their comeback.
Several missed shots from the Blue shirts allowed Coach Louie Gonzales’ team to knot the game at 56-56 in the third frame. The latter’s MJ Barrera then hit a clutch three point shot to take a two point lead over Letran, 61-63.
Muralla’s Deo Cuajao nailed back-to-back three-pointers in the fourth quarter to tie the game and regains the leverage for his team. Unfortunately, the Knights' defensive lapses in transition allowed the Heavy Bombers to extend their lead to five points. Cuajao's three-point attempt to narrow the gap was off the mark. A two-point field goal from Rafael Go during the final drifting seconds of the game did not stall JRU from securing the victory.
Barrera paced JRU with a career-high 22 points, shooting 10-of-15 from the field. He contributed two assists, one rebound, one block, and a steal as well. Guiab also chipped in 19 points and Wayne De Leon with 10.
The Knights, at 7-7 win-loss card, will face the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on October 30 in a must-win game for their top-four aspirations.
Quarter Scores: 22-28, 48-45, 61-63, 86-90
Letran (86) - Estrada 29, Miller 16, Cuajao 13, Go 9, Jumao-as 7, Montecillo 6, Nunag 3, Santos 2, Javillonar 1, Dimaano 0
JRU (90) - Barrera 22, Guiab 19, De Leon 10, Argente 9, Bernardo 7, Ramos 7, Sarmiento 7, Raymundo 6, Pangilinan 3, Benitez 0, De Jesus 0, Lozano 0, Mosqueda 0, Panapanaan 0.