By: Aliahcorr Balanon
Jonathan Manalili fires a contested three pointer over Perpetual’s Mark Gojo Cruz and Patrick Sleat. Photo: Anne Nicole Rebagay / The LANCE
The Letran Knights maintained their momentum as they faced off against the Perpetual Atlas, 63-56, in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Leading the charge for the Knights was Jimboy Estrada who contributed a massive 23-point barrage. Followed by Deo Cuajao, whose heroics earned him the player of the game awards with 16 points, including clutch three-pointers during crucial moments.
Letran opened the game with a seamless Chad Gamad-Jonathan Manalili connection that set the tone early on. The chemistry between Manalili and Estrada’s return was evident in the backcourt.
Estrada made back-to-back three pointers, tallying eight consecutive points to earn Letran’s lead, 10-14. Adding to the offensive firepower, Luis Tapenio contributed key points that helped the Knights’ advantage in the half time.
Coming into halftime, the Altas tightened their defense preventing the Knights from scoring. Patrick Sleat became the driving force of the Atlas, carrying much of the offensive load. He came up with a steal and pass to John Abis, who converted quick two points to close the gap.
Cuajao on the other hand, managed to break through and score, extending Knights’ lead, 37-30. However Sleat caught fire in the first five minutes of the third quarter cutting the lead from seven to just two points, 37-35.
Mark Gojo Cruz added a four-point burst, while Cuajao continued to step up to maintain a five-point lead. As the game intensified, Estrada contributed on both ends and kept the Perpetual at bay.
Shawn Orgo hit a bigtime three pointer to make it 54-49, and Sleat kept the fire back with the lead trimmed down to three points, carrying 16 points on his own.
The pressure reached the Knights when Jearico Nuñez successfully sank two points from the line, but once again, Cuajao delivered a clutch three-pointer, securing Letran’s lead. Orgo followed up with a three-pointer of his own, making it 59-56.
Manilili contributed two-point free throws to push the lead to 61-56. The game concluded with Estrada sealing Letran’s momentum with two points from the free throw line.
For the Altas, Sleat led with an impressive 16 points, leading the team with his all around play. Gojo Cruz added 10 points, while Abis chipped in with nine points.
In the post-game interview, Letran Knights’ Head Coach Allen Ricardo, emphasized that Estrada experienced health issues which affected his performance in the previous games.
“Well, siguro yung health issue number one, at least ngayon nakakabalik na sila. Talagang masama yung flu sa team namin, eh. So majority, talagang kalahati ng team medyo pilay,” he said.
Ricardo also remarked on Manalili’s role as a leader, however, he still believes that Manalili still has lots of work to put in to develop into a veteran presence for the team.
On the other hand, the best player of the game, Cuajao, highlighted that whenever the ball is in his hands during the times when the team are down to two point lead, he is just thinking that he needs to shoot the ball.
“'Pag tumitira ko kasi, kumbaga, wala nang oras, sabi ko kailangan kong ma-shoot to kasi humahabol na sila eh,” Cuajao shared, referring to his crucial three-pointers that helped the Letran get the win.
The Letran Knights will next face the LPU Pirates on Saturday, October 18, 2:30 pm at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
QUARTER SCORES: 18-10, 32-20, 50-45, 63-56
LETRAN (63) – Estrada 23, Cuajao 16, Omega 5, Gammad 4, Manalili 4, Santos 4, Tapenio 3, Buensalida 2, Rosilio 2, Gazzingan 0.
PERPETUAL (56) – Sleat 16, Gojo Cruz 10, Abis 9, Casinilio 6, Orgo 6, Nuñez 5, Boral 2, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 0, Maglupay 0, Pagulayan 0, Tulabut 0.