By: Miguel Caramoan
Jhuniel Dela Rama made sure his former school would remember his name.
The ex-Letran Squire buried a cold-blooded midrange jumper with 3.4 seconds left, lifting San Sebastian College-Recoletos past Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, to halt the Knights’ five-game winning streak in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“I’m so proud, of course. Hindi lang nila pinapakita yung heart namin sa game, but pati yung heart namin on how we commit and kung paano kami lumaban sa struggles na yon,” San Sebastian head coach Rob Labagala said after their big win.
Dela Rama’s clutch basket capped off a gritty performance where he finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. He led the Golden Stags to snap their own five-game losing skid.
“That play was designed by Coach Melo (Navarro) and pinag-usapan namin na naka-design talaga for Jhuniel. It’s an isolation play para sa kanya, and good thing he was able to knock [it] down,” Labagala on Dela Rama’s game-winner.
“He really deserves that moment na yon because he’s really hard working.”
Niel Castor also shone for San Sebastian, dropping 13 of his 22 points in the first half to set the tone early. He added four rebounds and three assists on an efficient 4-of-7 clip from three-point range.
The Golden Stags controlled most of the first half but found themselves trailing late, as the Knights stormed back from a 15-point deficit to take a 72-71 lead off a Cuajao inside basket with 6:31 left in the game.
Dela Rama then reclaimed momentum for San Sebastian, converting a three-point play before Ralph Gabat’s crucial jumper pushed them ahead, 80-77. Letran still answered with a Cuajao triple and a split from the line by Kevin Santos to snatch an 81-80 edge.
But with time winding down, Dela Rama rose to the moment — pulling up from midrange and draining the shot that stunned his old squad and sent the San Sebastian bench into celebration.
With the win, San Sebastian improved to 2-7 to close crossover play and will next face Group A leader Perpetual Altas on November 8 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Letran, meanwhile, missed the chance to complete a crossover sweep and slipped to 5-4 in Group B. The Knights will try to regroup against the JRU Heavy Bombers on the same day.
Jonathan Manalili’s career-high of 26 points was put to waste, alongside his 10 rebounds and five assists. Deo Cuajao added 16 of his 22 points in the second half for Letran.
The Scores:
San Sebastian 82 – Castor 22, Dela Rama 20, Cuajao 13, Gabat 12, Felebrico 10, Nepacena 2, Lumanag 2, Dimaunahan 1
Letran 81 – Manalili 26, Cuajao 22, Estrada 10, Gammad 8, Santos 3, Tapenio 3, Rosilio 3, Buensalida 2, Omega 2, Roque 2
Quarterscores: 20-13, 45-39, 65-58, 82-81
