Jimboy Estrada came through in the clutch to prevent Colegio de San Juan de Letran from falling prey to an upset-minded San Sebastian College-Recoletos squad.
Estrada drilled the game-winner to lift the Knights to a 91-89 victory over the Golden Stags and keep them atop Group B of the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Filoil Centre.
With the game tied at 89-all, Estrada posted up John Ynot before pulling up for a fadeaway jumper that gave the Knights the lead.
With little time remaining, Ynot attempted a Hail Mary shot but missed, allowing Letran to improve to 7-3 as the second round of the group phase got underway.
“I needed to go to my key player. Kumbaga, pinapractice naman namin ‘yon,” coach Allen Ricardo said. “No doubt, no’ng nakita ko na gano’n ‘yong defense nila, magbe-breakdown yung defense nila kay Estrada.”
Estrada finished with 14 points on 13 field-goal attempts, along with six rebounds, three assists, and a block.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, fell to 0-10 this season, extending its losing streak to 14 games dating back to last season.
As expected, the Knights got off to a fiery start, building a 17-point lead at 35-18 early in the second quarter.
What was unexpected, however, was the Golden Stags’ fightback, as they eventually took a 63-58 lead midway through the third quarter.
The game remained tight the rest of the way.
Christian Ricio gave San Sebastian an 87-86 lead with under a minute remaining before Aaron Buensalida answered on the other end to put Letran back in front.
Following a flurry of turnovers and a split at the free-throw line by Nathan Montecillo, the Knights held a precarious two-point lead.
Neil Castor then came up with a crucial basket to tie the game before Estrada delivered the decisive blow.
Chad Gammad led Letran with 23 points, while Buensalida added 21 points and six rebounds. Froilan Reyes chipped in 13 points in the victory.
The Knights also dominated the Golden Stags in their first-round meeting, winning 99-62.
Kent Bacani led San Sebastian with 24 points, while Ynot filled the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Vincent Segovia and Castor added 13 and 12 points, respectively, but their efforts were not enough to prevent another defeat.
Letran will next face Arellano on Thursday in a showdown between the Group B leaders, while San Sebastian will look to snap its losing streak against Emilio Aguinaldo College two days earlier.
The Scores:
Letran 91 – Gammad 23, Buensalida 21, Estrada 14, Reyes 13, Montecillo 7, Walker 6, Cargo 4, Hugo 3, Diamante 0, Borrero 0
San Sebastian 89 – Bacani 24, Ynot 16, Segovia 13, Castor 12, Ricio 11, Alforque 4, Cuya 4, Muktimar 2, Velasco 2, Suico 1, Kitane 0, Gabat 0, Dimaunahan 0
Quarterscores: 29-15, 48-46, 73-70, 91-89
