MANILA – Rookie sensation Jhuniel Dela Rama delivered clutch heroics as the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags edged the league-leading University of Perpetual Help Altas, 62-61, to claim back-to-back victories in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
With the Stags holding a slim lead late in the fourth quarter, Dela Rama drained consecutive three-pointers that broke a tense 55-56 count and ultimately sealed the stunning upset for San Sebastian.
The victory marked their second straight triumph and a confidence-boosting win over the Group A frontrunners.
Christian Ricio powered the Stags with 17 points, while Dela Rama notched an impressive double-double performance of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The win improved San Sebastian’s record to 3-7 in Group A.
Patrick Sleat paced the Altas with 11 points in the loss, as Perpetual Help absorbed only its second defeat of the season to drop to 8-2.
In another match, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights exacted sweet revenge against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, posting an 85-71 victory to avenge their first-round defeat.
Jimboy Estrada came off the bench with 20 points, three assists, three rebounds, and one block to lead the Knights, while Kevin Santos provided solid inside scoring with 17 points on a near-perfect 8-of-9 shooting clip.
After a slow start, the Knights erupted with a 16-1 run behind Santos, Mark Omega, and Aaron Buensalida to seize control in the second quarter. They never looked back, extending their lead to 78-61 late in the game behind key baskets from Buensalida, Roque, and Manalili.
Joshua Argente led JRU with 16 points, while Harry Herrera added 14. Allan Laurenaria, Stephen Garupil, and Sean Salvador each contributed 11, but the Bombers failed to match Letran’s second-half surge./PN
