MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights overcame the absence of injured key player Titing Manalili and weathered a fierce late-game rally to stun the streaking Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 70-66, snapping their four-game winning streak in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament Thursday at the San Juan Arena.
Chad Gammad erupted for 21 points, including four three-pointers, as the Knights displayed resilience and defensive grit to secure their fifth victory in eight games and improve to 5-3 in Group B.
The defeat halted JRU’s four-game surge and dropped the Heavy Bombers to 6-2, dealing a setback to their momentum in the tournament.
Playing without Manalili, who was sidelined by a knee sprain, Letran relied on a collective effort to overcome a JRU squad that threatened to extend its winning run.
The Heavy Bombers held a narrow 58-57 advantage in the fourth quarter before the Knights unleashed a decisive 6-1 run, highlighted by Denzil Walker’s short jumper, to seize a 64-58 lead with 5:31 remaining.
JRU refused to surrender, mounting a late comeback behind Jay Garupil, whose basket trimmed Letran’s advantage to 67-65 with 3:03 left.
But the Knights held their ground in the crucial moments, with Nat Montecillo splitting his free throws to stretch their lead to 68-65 with just 17 seconds remaining.
Walker provided offensive support with 11 points, while Kevin Santos contributed 10 markers as Letran compensated for Manalili’s absence through balanced scoring and determined defense.
Knights center Aaron Buensalida, who chipped in eight points, credited the victory to the team’s collective effort and refusal to use Manalili’s injury as an excuse.
“Sa’min naman, ‘di namin ginawang reason ‘yong wala si Jonathan (Manalili), nag-step-up ‘yong mga kasama namin, lahat, kahit ‘yong [mga] nasa bench,” Buensalida said.
“‘Yong key point dito aside sa offense namin ay ‘yong defense namin. ‘Yon ‘yong pinakabunga ng game na ‘to para manalo,” he added.
Laurence Mangubat paced the Heavy Bombers with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Sean Salvador added 11 markers in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals pulled off another major upset, overcoming College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 86-78, behind a remarkable second-half turnaround.
The Generals improved to 3-5 while snapping the Blazers’ own four-game winning streak and handing them their second defeat in eight outings.
The twin upsets ended the winning streaks of two of the tournament’s leading contenders, underscoring the increasingly competitive battle in NCAA Season 102./PN
