Letran Knight Jimboy Estrada calmly navigates Perpetual’s defense to cap the first game of the semifinals. Photo courtesy of Kim Yoshi Espiritu | The LANCE.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights take a 1-0 advantage over the top-seeded University of the Perpetual Help-System Dalta Altas, 77-73, in the semifinals of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Just when the chaos started to pile up for Letran, the level-headed Jimboy Estrada stood tall to drain a crucial triple and perfectly sank two free throws to ice the game. The scoring maestro from Pangasinan laced 15 markers, two dimes, one rebound and a steal.
Meanwhile, the rookie guard, Jonathan Manalili, who was very familiar with the Perpetual match-up, set the offense with 15 points, eight assists, five boards, and six steals.
The tension is always high whenever Manalili and Mark Gojo Cruz—two seasoned junior rank finalists—lock horns in the hardwood as both guards continue to show promising results in their senior career.
Chad Gammad looked nothing like a rookie in his first playoff game, sniping three straight treys to help Letran grab the opening advantage, 26-22.
The Knights put the Altas on a chokehold for an entire four minutes of the second frame, thrashing the white-shirts with an 11-point run courtesy of Deo Cuajao’s long range artillery and Kevin Santos' paint presence.
Perpetual’ Patrick Sleat, however, reactivated their offense in the third by cutting through the lane, slicing the lead to just four, 59-55
Nathaniel Montecillo breaked away for a fast break layup to stabilize Letran’s pace, 72-60. But Sleat, JM Tulabut, and John Abis quickly converted eight points from a three, a bonus and-one, and a close bucket to put them within six, 72-66.
With the Altas creeping through the penalty, Coach Allen Ricardo only had to trust that their defense remained steady and force their opponents outside the paint. Thankfully enough, his cagers pulled through and hindered the Las Piñas-based crew from racking up points in the clutch.
Sleat’s third quarter scorching came up a few inches short of a comeback. The Filipino-Australian transfer from FEU Tamaraws had 21 points, four boards, four assists, and a block and was backstopped by Abis’ 20 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Their second semifinals affair is scheduled on Friday, December 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
QUARTERSCORES: 26-22, 50-36, 64-56, 77-73
CSJL (77) - Estrada 15, Manalili 15, Gammad 11, Cuajao 9, Buensalida 6, Omega 6, Santos 6, Roque 5, Montecillo 2, Tapenio 2.
UPHSD (73) - Sleat 21, Abis 20, Boral 11, Gojo Cruz 10, Tulabut 3, Alcantara 3, Duremdes 2, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1, Orgo 0, Casinilio 0, Maglupay 0.