By: Joaquin Cortez
With Titing Manalili hampered by foul trouble early in the game, Denzil Walker stepped up in his debut as Season 101 runners-up Colegio de San Juan de Letran held off the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, 84-77, on the opening day of the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The two teams last met in the semifinals last December, when Letran swept Perpetual en route to a runner-up finish after falling to eventual champion and Season 102 host San Beda University in the Finals.
The Knights, however, lost to the Altas in their first meeting last season, 75-65.
After picking up his fourth foul with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter, Manalili was limited for the remainder of the frame before redeeming himself when it mattered most. He delivered timely baskets and assists down the stretch to help Letran secure its first victory in Group B.
Perpetual trailed by as many as 10 points, 30-20, in the second quarter but stayed within striking distance with an 18-6 run behind baskets from Jan Pagulayan and Juan Tulabut, trimming Letran’s lead to two, 38-36, at halftime.
Neither team could pull away in the third quarter before Letran closed the frame with an 8-3 spurt, punctuated by Jimboy Estrada’s triple, to take a 59-55 lead into the final period.
After a Justin Cargo basket gave Letran a 72-69 advantage, Walker fouled out with more than five minutes remaining after committing a reach-in foul on Shawn Orgo.
The Altas then threatened to seize control, with Pagulayan knocking down a crucial three-pointer with two minutes left to tie the game at 74-all.
Letran responded with seven unanswered points, capped by a Manalili layup that put the Knights ahead, 81-74.
Pagulayan made one last push with another three-pointer to cut the deficit to four, 81-77, but Angelo Geslano missed a midrange jumper that could have brought Perpetual within two.
Kevin Santos then sank his free throws to seal the victory for Letran.
