MANILA, Philippines – Letran notched its first win of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament, while Perpetual grabbed a share of the lead in the standings at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Friday, September 13.
Jimboy Estrada and Deo Cuajao delivered the big hits down the stretch as the Knights bounced back from their season-opening loss with a 70-62 victory over Jose Rizal University.
The Bombers pulled level at 58-58 with under four minutes left before Cuajao fired all of his 6 points off a pair of three-pointers and Estrada put on the finishing touches by scoring the last 6 points of their 12-4 finishing run.
Estrada netted 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Jace Miller chimed in 16 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the win.
Shawn Argente put up 18 points and 3 rebounds for JRU, which dropped to 0-2.
Meanwhile, the Altas showed steely resolve in the endgame to hold off Arellano and nail a 69-67 triumph, hiking their record to 2-0 to tie San Beda and San Sebastian at the top.
John Gojo Cruz chalked up 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals, while John Boral tallied 11 points and 4 rebounds as Perpetual got the job done despite squandering double-digit lead late.
The Chiefs turned a 12-point deficit to a 65-62 lead with under two minutes remaining, but Perpetual closed it out on a 7-0 run highlighted by a layup and a triple from Boral.
Cyril Hernal recorded a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in the loss that dropped Arellano to 0-2.
The Scores
First game
Letran 70 – Estrada 22, Miller 16, Go 8, Cuajao 6, Dimaano 5, Pradella 4, Baliling 3, Jumao-os 3, Santos 2, Monje 1, Montecillo 0, Nunag 0, Delfino 0.
JRU 62 – Argente 18, Guiab 12, Raymundo 9, Pangilinan 8, Ramos 6, Panapanaan 5, Barrera 4, Samontares 0, Benitez 0, De Leon 0, De Jesus 0, Medina 0.
Quarters: 16-15, 32-31, 54-48, 70-62.
Second game
Perpetual 69 – Gojo Cruz 20, Boral 11, Pagaran 10, Orgo 8, Gelsano 7, Abis 7, Manuel 3, Pizarro 2, Nunez 1, Montemayor 0.
Arellano 67 – Camay 12, Hernal 10, Borromeo 8, Vinoya 8, Ongotan 6, Abiera 6, Geronimo 5, Valencia 4, Capulong 4, Miller 2, Dela Cruz 2, Acop 0, De Leon 0, Espiritu 0, Estacio 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 37-33, 57-45, 69-67.
– Rappler.com