By: Aishah Jimenez
Photo by: Ram Campos
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights towered past San Beda University Red Lions, 75-71, to deny elimination sweep in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Jimboy Estrada drove the Knights with 24 points, mounting 50% efficiency beyond the arc, five rebounds, and nine assists, followed by Kobe Monje, flaunting a perfect 6-of-6 field goal percentage to cap 15 markers, four boards, and three dimes. Deo Cuajao and Nathaniel Montecillo, meanwhile, produced 11 and 10 points with three and four rebounds, respectively.
Both teams demonstrated efficient offense, sinking baskets from one court to another. Minimizing their turnover issues, Letran appeared to have gained momentum following Monje’s jumper and a triple which tied the game 16-all nearing the end of the first frame.
SBU’s Emmanuel Tagle drained a three to escalate the gap but was immediately answered back by Estrada to force a 19-19 tie until the former’s Bismarck Lina and James Payosing contributed successful layups to establish a 23-22 lead coming to the second quarter.
The Muralla-based squad then capitalized on San Beda’s missed shots, creating their biggest lead, 37-27. The latter, however, was determined to come back stronger, cutting down the deficit to two, 40-38, after Payosing’s sole 5-0 run in the remaining minute in the second.
Heading into the third canto, the Knights primarily relied on the scoring and rebounding efforts of Monje, Cuajao, Montecillo, and Pao Javillonar to sit on a comfortable cushion, 52-57 at the 3:46 mark, but Payosing, the NCAA Season 99 Finals MVP, once again proved his worth dropping down three charities and a hoop, tying the score to 57.
Cuajao and Estrada’s beyond-the-arc shots allowed Letran to escape the Red Lion’s persistence, establishing a 70-65 lead. This, however, was erased by Lina’s three-point play and Payosing’s easy layup to force another stalemate at 70-all as the Knight’s Team Captain, Javillonar, was fouled out.
That situation fueled Estrada to take action, exploding two consecutive clutch jumpers before Montecillo headed down the line, completing one-of-two charities, thereby clinching the victory for the Knights.
Payosing steered the Mendiola-based squad with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Jomel Puno finished with 15 points, four rebounds, three dimes, and three swats. Lina, meanwhile, contributed 10 points.
In the post-game interview, Letran head coach Allen Ricardo acknowledged the excellence of San Beda in its execution.
“Nagwork naman yung game plan namin, that is why we stayed on the game. Ang hirap kasi kapag tatapat-tapatan mo lang ‘yung San Beda all throughout ang gagaling nilang mag-execute, knowing coach Yuri [Escueta] and his coaching staff. We’re just trying to delay their offense,” said Ricardo.
While it has been two years since Letran has won against its archrival, the chief tactician bared that the recently concluded match is an important win considering the Knights’ current standing in the league.
The Knights improved to 8-9, which is a game behind the Lyceum of the Philippines University and Emilio Aguinaldo College, who were currently tied for the fourth spot. If the remaining place parades a two-or three-way tie, the former may also receive at least a playoff berth for the No. 4 spot.
Letran desires to achieve a back-to-back win in their last bout against the Arellano Chiefs on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
QUARTER SCORES: 22-23, 40-38, 57-57, 75-71
LETRAN (75) - Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cuajao 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-as 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Dimaano 0, Miller 0.
SBU (71) - Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Celzo 0, Royo 0, Sajonia 0.