By: Aianna Xyril Monsod
Colegio de San Juan de Letran fell short against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball second elimination round on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. Photo Courtesy: Allen Matthew Velasquez.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran fell short against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 61-71, in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball second elimination round on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Jimboy Estrada led the charge with a near triple-double, scoring 14 points, dishing out 10 assists, and grabbing seven rebounds, while Nat Montecillo added 11 points and six rebounds. Both players shot 100% from the free-throw line. Kevin Santos also contributed with 10 points and three rebounds.
The Altas jumped out to a 5-0 lead but Pao Javillonar got Letran on the board with the first basket of the game, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Both teams traded baskets, but Perpetual’s John Boral, Mark Gojo Cruz, and Christian Pagaran each hit a three-pointer, propelling them to a 22-13 lead over the Knights at the end of the first quarter.
Coming into halftime, Javillonar left the game with an ankle injury but was able to return to action in the last frame.
Letran cut the Perpetual’s lead to five points with 3:31 remaining in the third period, owing to Kobe Monje's three-pointer making the score 49-44. However, a series of missed shots by the Knights and made baskets by the Altas allowed the latter to regain a double-digit lead, 59-48, entering the fourth quarter.
In the final period, Estrada was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul after stepping inside the landing space of a driving Mark Gojo Cruz. Shortly after, a heated exchange with the referee led to a technical foul, resulting in his ejection from the game. His ejection will disqualify him from receiving any awards this season, including Rookie of the Year.
Despite narrowing the gap to one point in the second and third frame and outscoring the Atlas in the final quarter, the Knights failed to overcome their early deficit.
Pagaran paced Perpetual with 19 points, five rebounds, and two assists, followed by Gojo Cruz with 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Abis and Orgo each scored eight points.
In an interview with GMA, head coach Allen Ricardo of Letran stated that they had already written a letter to Commissioner Ogie Bernarte, appealing Estrada's case.
"Tingin ko naman kasi si Jimboy, 'yung stance niya ay going for a blocking out or boxout eh. Hindi naman talaga niya intention. Baka they can consider it, kung hindi intentional," he said.
According to the league rules, the star transferee will also serve a one-game suspension, which will be a setback to Letran, as they prepare to face Mapua University on October 18.
QUARTER SCORES: 22-13, 41-31, 59-48, 71-61
LETRAN 61 – Estrada 14, Montecillo 11, Santos 10, Cuajao 8, Monje 7, Javillonar 4, Delfino 3, Nunag 2, Go 2
PERPETUAL 71 – Pagaran 19, Gojo Cruz 15, Abis 8, Orgo 8, Pizarro 6, Boral 5, Manuel 4, Montemayor 3, Gelsano 2, Nunez 1