Letran clutches San Beda at its first game in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup. Photo courtesy of Thomas Dominick Borja of The LANCE.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran escaped rival San Beda University, 88-87, in a nip and tuck affair in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup held at Enderun Colleges in Taguig City yesterday.
Newly tenured Jimboy Estrada was hailed as the best player of the game after he scattered 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
With the result of the game in the balance, the former NAASCU MVP dished the ball to the right wing finding its way to Deo Cuajao who took it upon himself to drain the game sealing two-point jumper with three seconds left in the contest.
Both teams had a slow start, but Letran managed to get the offense going after Edzel Galoy forced a two-point shot against San Beda's defense, drawing the foul, and sinking the free throw.
John Lopez and Alljay Alloso of the Red Lions wanted to take hold of the game as they rained down baskets from downtown against Letran, however Cuajao quickly answered back with three pointers of his own to keep the Muralla-based squad in the game.
Despite the Knights holding the lead for the majority of the third, Alloso took it upon himself to continue the offensive onslaught as Letran simply had no answer.
Kobe Monje and Ken Brillantes attacked the rack, followed by Estrada who scored a layup from an assist by Jonathan Manalili knotting the score at 56.
The two teams showed fatigue as the fourth calvo came around yet neither team let their foot off the gas, eager to claim the victory.
Alloso continued to bring points in bunches with treys but Estrada kept answering the call with bucket after bucket that weaked San Beda's defense.
As the game dwindled into its final moments, Kyle Jamora redeemed the lead for San Beda with an ice cold three that would have won them the game if not for Cuajao's heroics, 86-87.
The Letran Knights will seek to continue their winning ways as they match up against the San Sebastian Golden Stags later today at 2:00 PM in the same venue.