By: Rylie San Juan, Kim Yoshi Espiritu
Letran’s Titing Manalili calling for a play in front of Ian Torres’ defense. Photo | Maverick Rhoy De Vera
The losing streak continues for Letran Knights as they faced off against the Benilde Blazers, 80-95, without the services of Jimboy Estrada and Jun Roque, yesterday, in the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Tournament held at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Blazer’s second victory of the season was secured with their composed free throw shooting and a pesky defensive effort late in the clock. Letran was able to drill a crucial three-pointer to cut the lead to four, 84-80, but it was Justine Sanchez who closed the doors for a Knights’ comeback by nailing a dagger three from the corner.
Backing down was never an option for an ailing Jonathan Manalili, who shook off an ankle injury in the final quarter and came back to finish the game. The Cebuano star showed the heart of a true warrior after posting an all-around game with 23 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, and a steal.
Both teams started off strong on the defensive end, forcing turnovers on each side. Alex Gazzingan opened the game with a floater that gave the Knights their first points of the quarter. Manalili scored his first basket after a hard drive and a smooth finish around the basket.
Benilde’s big man Shawn Umali showed his range, making a shot from beyond the arc, putting the Blazers back in the lead. Benilde’s offensive barrage continued with a fastbreak three from Matthew Oli, extending their to 12-to-nothing run to end the opening frame, 18-30.
The Knights went to chip away at the lead in the second quarter as Chad Gammad and Aaron Buensalida joined hands in the paint to shorten the gap. Manalili then closed the quarter with a step-back three to put them on top, 45-44.
Drawing fouls was the plan for the Knights in the quarter, with hard attacks to the basket and baiting contact, the Blazers were placed in foul trouble by the halfway point of the third. Manalili’s drives to the basket continued to be a problem for Benilde as they seemed to have no answer to Manalili’s quick and shifty attacks.
SJ Moore, on the other side, made show as he displayed his vertical on a slam dunk which stalled Letran before breaking down their offense as he drew offensive fouls and was a pest on the defensive end. His energetic play earned back the lead for the green and white, 62-65.
Sanchez and Gammad exchanged three-balls in the pacing fourth quarter before the disaster struck as Manalili landed awkwardly and sprained his left ankle after setting up an alley-oop to Deo Cuajao.
Key to the Blazers’ magnificent outing was the hot-shooting Sanchez who fired 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Oli also stood out with his perfect game, 20 markers on seven field goals.
The Knights are still searching for their first victory of the season and will face another test versus the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Saturday, October 11, 2:30 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
QUARTER SCORES: 18-31, 45-44, 65-62, 95-80.
LETRAN (80) - Manalili 23, Gammad 18, Cuajao 15, Buensalida 7, Santos 7, Omega 5, Gazzingan 4, Tapenio.
CSB (94) - Sanchez 23, Oli 20, Ancheta 16, Umali 13, Moore 8, Celis 6, Gaspay 4, Torres 4, Eusebio 0, Galas 0.