By: Miguel Caramoan
A fit-again Jimboy Estrada led Colegio de San Juan de Letran in ending the unbeaten streak of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, guiding the Knights to a 63-56 victory in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
After averaging just 9.0 points on 30.6% shooting while battling an illness in his first three games, Estrada broke out with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals on an efficient 57.1% clip.
He set the tone early, fueling a 12-0 first-quarter run with 10 points that gave the Knights an 18-10 lead.
“At least ngayon nakakabalik na sila. Talagang ang sama nung flu around sa team namin, kalahati talaga nung team pilay. So good thing, nakakabalik na yung energy nila and siyempre yung timing mula sa sakit,” Knights head coach Allen Ricardo said.
Perpetual did not fold easily, especially in the third quarter, which they opened with a 10-2 run. They outscored Letran 25-18 for the period, ignited by the transition attack of Patrick Sleat, Mark Gojo Cruz, and John Abis, who combined for 21 points.
But Deo Cuajao kept the Knights ahead, scoring 16 points on 4-of-9 shooting from rainbow country. He added 11 points in the third quarter to counter each Altas’ rally that cut the deficit to just two multiple times.
None was bigger than Cuajao’s crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter that extended Letran’s lead to 57-53 with 3:25 remaining.
“Isa ako sa mga seniors, kailangan ko mag-produce ng scoring kasi wala rin si Jun (Roque), so kailangan ko punan yung role niya. Tsaka buti tumama din si Jimboy ngayon, kaya ang ganda ng nilaro namin,” Cuajao said.
With the win, Letran improved to 2-3, marking back-to-back victories after starting the season with three straight losses, and maintained fourth place in Group B.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, no more tomorrow na yan kasi single round lang natin sila makakalaban, so this is the best chance for us to redeem ourselves. And at the same time, kailangan natin maghabol sa team standings, and we’re hoping na makuha namin yung advantage sa groupings namin,” Ricardo said, emphasizing the urgency for the Knights to find their stride.
Riding the momentum, Letran will look to extend its winning streak against the winless Lyceum Pirates on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Meanwhile, Perpetual remains the first seed in Group A at 4-1, holding a half-game lead over defending champions Mapua Cardinals. Sleat and Gojo Cruz were the only Altas players to score in double figures, finishing with 16 and 10 points, respectively.
The Altas will try to bounce back when they face the gritty JRU Heavy Bombers earlier the same day at the same venue.
The Scores:
Letran 63 – Estrada 23, Cuajao 16, Omega 5, Manalili 4, Santos 4, Gammad 4, Tapenio 3, Buensalida 2, Rosillo 2, Gazzingan 0
Perpetual Help 56 – Sleat 16, Gojo Cruz 10, Abis 9, Orgo 6, Casinillo 6, Nunez 5, Boral 2, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 0, Tulabut 0, Maglupay 0, Pagulayan 0
Quarterscores: 18-10, 32-20, 50-45, 63-56
