MANILA — Former Letran Squires standout Jhuniel Dela Rama broke his old school’s heart as he delivered the game-winning jumper that lifted San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags to a dramatic 82-81 upset victory over the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Playtime FilOil Center in San Juan.
Trailing 80-81 with seconds left, Dela Rama calmly drained a contested jumper from the free-throw line, completing the Golden Stags’ comeback after squandering an early 15-point lead. The shot sealed San Sebastian’s second win of the season and denied the Knights a chance to move up the standings.
Dela Rama, who once suited up for the Letran Squires in the juniors’ division, finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Oneil Castor led the Stags with 22 points, while Ian Cuajao, Ralph Gabat, and Tristan Felebrico chipped in 13, 12, and 10 markers, respectively.
The Golden Stags trailed 73-77 in the fourth quarter before Dela Rama fueled the rally with five straight points. Gabat’s inside shot gave San Sebastian an 80-77 lead, but Letran answered with a Deo Cuajao triple and a Kevin Santos free throw for an 81-80 edge — setting the stage for Dela Rama’s heroics.
Jonathan Manalili led the Knights with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Cuajao and Johnsherick Estrada contributed 22 and 10 points, respectively. Letran slipped to 5-4.
In the other match, University of Perpetual Help Altas survived a grueling triple-overtime battle to outlast San Beda University Red Lions, 88-85.
Patrick Sleat tallied 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists before fouling out in the third extra period, while Mark Gojo Cruz added 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists to propel Perpetual to its fourth straight victory and an 8-1 record — good for the top spot in Group B.
San Beda, which saw its four-game winning streak snapped, dropped to 6-2 but remained Group A’s leader./PN
