MANILA – Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights spoiled University of Perpetual Help Altas’ perfect start in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, hacking out a gritty 63–56 win on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
The Knights, who opened the season with three straight losses, showed renewed confidence and composure down the stretch to hand the Altas their first defeat and notch their second consecutive victory.
Letran saw its 14-point lead trimmed to just three, 59–56, after a late rally capped by a three-pointer from Perpetual’s Shawn Orgo in the final minute.
But the Knights kept their poise in the clutch, with Jonathan Manalili and Johnsherick Estrada calmly knocking down two free throws each in the closing 30 seconds to seal the win.
Estrada powered the Knights with 23 points, including three triples, along with eight rebounds and three assists. “We just trusted our system and each other,” Estrada said after the game. “We’re starting to build our chemistry and confidence again.”
Deo Cuajao added 16 markers for Letran, which improved to 2–3 after starting the season at 0–3.
Patrick Sleat led the Altas with 16 points, while Mark Gojo Cruz contributed 10. The loss dropped Perpetual to 4–1, ending its unbeaten run in the first round.
Meanwhile, rookie sensation Sean Salvador delivered a career performance as the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers overpowered the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags, 59–46.
Salvador erupted for a career-high 22 points, including five three-pointers, to go with three rebounds, a steal, and an assist. The win lifted JRU to 3–2 in Group B despite the absence of key guard Shawn Argente, who served a one-game suspension.
Jhuniel dela Rama stood out for the struggling Stags with nine points and 15 rebounds as they slipped to 1–4 in Group A./PN
BOX SCORES:
LETRAN 63 — Estrada 23, Cuajao 16, Omega 5, Santos 4, Manalili 4, Gammad 4, Tapenio 3, Buensalida 2, Rosilio 2, Gazzingan 0.
PERPETUAL 56 — Sleat 16, Gojo Cruz 10, Abis 9, Casinillo 6, Orgo 6, Nuñez 5, Boral 2, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 0, Tulabut 0, Maglupay 0, Pagulayan 0.
Quarters: 18–10, 32–20, 50–45, 63–56.
