Jimboy Estrada took charge in the clutch, scoring back-to-back jumpers in the final seconds to lead Colegio de San Juan de Letran to a 75-71 victory over archrival San Beda University, keeping their NCAA Season 100 Final Four hopes alive on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
A floater from Estrada and three free throws from Deo Cuajao gave the Knights a 70-65 lead, b but the Red Lions quickly answered.
They got consecutive and-one plays from Bismarck Lina and James Payosing, taking a slim 71-70 lead with 45.4 seconds remaining.
Estrada then rose to the occasion, draining two critical jumpers to give Letran a 74-71 advantage with less than 15 seconds left – ultimately securing the victory and maintaining their playoff aspirations.
“Sabi ko sa mga bata this is a do-or-die Sunday. Bigay na natin lahat, huwag na tayo magtipid, especially on the defensive end. Nag-work naman yung game plan namin, so that’s why we stayed in the game,” Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.
He admitted, “Ang hirap kasi ‘pag tatapat-tapatan mo lang yung San Beda all throughout, ang galing nila mag-execute with the way coach Yuri guides his players and his coaching staff.”
The win improved the Knights’ record to 8-9, keeping them in a three-way battle with the LPU Pirates and the EAC Generals for the last Final Four spot.
Letran’s victory marked their first head-to-head win over San Beda since a 59-56 decision on April 29, 2022.
Estrada ended the day with 24 points, nine assists, five rebounds, one steal, and one block. He got support from Kobe Monje, who chipped in 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting to go along with four rebounds, three steals, and one assist.
Cuajao contributed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, while Nat Montecillo tallied 10 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
Letran looks to boost its Final Four hopes in their final elimination game of the season when they clash against the also-ran Arellano University on November 13 at the same venue.
On the other hand, the Red Lions remain at third despite dropping to a 10-6 record. However, the loss eliminated them from potentially clinching a coveted twice-to-beat incentive.
Payosing paced San Beda in the losing effort with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Jomel Puno contributed 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Lina chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, and one assist.
Team captain Yukien Andrada saw himself limited to eight points on 3-of-13 shooting but still contributed seven rebounds and two assists.
The Red Lions will look to return to the winning column in a clash against the College of St. Benilde Blazers at the same date and venue.
The Scores:
Letran 75 – Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cujaoa 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-As 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Miller 0, Dimaano 0.
San Beda 71 – Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Royo 0, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0.
Quarterscores: 22-23, 40-38, 57-57, 75-71.
