MANILA – After three frustrating outings, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights finally broke through the win column in NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball, fending off the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 84–80, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Once struggling to close out games, the Knights showed newfound composure in the clutch as rookie playmaker Jonathan Manalili delivered two decisive assists in the dying seconds — first to Aaron Buensalida for a basket, then a fast-break feed to Deo Cuajao — to finally secure their long-awaited victory.
Head coach Allen Ricardo said the team’s first win was a product of hard lessons from earlier losses.
“Sabi ko sa mga bata talagang walang madali. Talagang tatrabahuhin namin ‘yan. ‘Yung mga lapses namin the first three games, dapat ma-correct at ma-minimize namin. Ayun, nakuha ko naman yung mga resulta na gusto kong makuha sa kanila,” Ricardo said.
Cuajao spearheaded the Knights with 23 points, drilling six triples out of 12 attempts, while Manalili turned in another all-around effort of 12 points, 13 assists, six rebounds, and four steals. Buensalida chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Santos added 15 points to complete the balanced scoring.
The Generals, who trailed by as much as 11, nearly mounted a comeback behind Nico Quinal and Wilmar Oftana, who each finished with 16 points, but they fell short down the stretch to slip to 1–3.
In the other game, the University of Perpetual Help Altas stretched their unbeaten run to 4–0 after repelling the Arellano University Chiefs, 72–67.
Mark Gojo Cruz top-scored with 13 points, while Patrick Sleat and Josiah Alcantara tallied 12 and 11, respectively.
Perpetual built a 41–32 halftime cushion and held off a late Arellano surge, with Shawn Orgo and John Boral nailing crucial free throws and Sleat finishing a key layup in the closing seconds to seal the deal./PN
