Photo Courtesy: FilOil EcoOil Sports
The Letran Knights added another win to their record after defeating the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas, 80-65, in their matchup last Thursday, June 12, at the Filoil Preseason cup held in Playtime FilOil Centre.
Jimboy Estrada led the charge for the Knights, scoring 21 points and dishing out four assists paired with three steals. Jonathan Manalili and Vince Cuajao did not shy away either in terms of scoring, with Manalili ending the game with 12 points while Cuajao poured in 11.
It was a slow start for both teams as Letran began the on-ball pressure early in the first making it difficult for the Altas to gain momentum. On the other side, Perpetual kept forcing turnovers and baiting fouls on the side of Letran.
Things began to pick pace for the Altas midway through the quarter securing an early nine point lead while capitalizing on the miscommunications and turnovers of Letran. Mark Gojo Cruz of the Altas ended the first quarter on a high note after sinking a mid-range buzzer beater to put them up by eight points, 21-13.
Jun Roque and Jonathan Manalili opened the second quarter scoring, with Roque hitting a three-pointer while Manalili grabbed the offensive rebound and scored two more points en route to a 27-point team production by halftime.
Coming off a halfway rest, trailing behind by just three, bigman Kevin Santos had a quick two-pointer before Estrada followed suit, hitting a mid-range jumper to put Letran up for the first time in the match, 38-37.
Estrada and Cuajao’s scoring barrage continued all throughout the remaining half—draining short stabs and three-pointers, all while Manalili officiated their gameplan smoothly, dishing out timely assists to the open man for an easy bucket.
It was the Knights pesky defense that sealed the game while putting a dry spell on Perpetual’s game; each shot failed to reach the bottom of the net, while Letran dominated the final quarter holding a 15-point deficit at the final buzzer, 80-65.
Perpetual’s JP Boral led the Altas in scoring, tallying 13 points and two assists, with Gojo Cruz and Patrick Sleat ending the game with 11 points apiece.
Letran is set to face off against the College of Saint Benilde Blazers on Saturday, June 14, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City.