By: Miguel Caramoan
Colegio de San Juan de Letran asserted its mastery over Arellano University, securing a semifinals berth in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament with a 77-69 victory on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Knights also erased the Chiefs’ twice-to-beat advantage in the process.
It was Letran’s third win over Arellano this season — once in the crossover round and twice in the playoffs.
The victory also marked the Knights’ return to the Final Four after three seasons, their last appearance coming in Season 98 when they won the championship.
This semifinal berth is also the team’s first under head coach Allen Ricardo, achieved in only his second year with the seniors squad.
“Of course, thankful nakapasok kami. We are blessed and thank God na hindi niya kami pinabayaan,” he said.
“A little bit of struggle. Same mistakes and ang dami namin binigay na second chance points. But credit to the boys and the coaches for adjusting,” he added.
Next up for Letran is a best-of-three semifinal showdown against Group A leader Perpetual Altas, beginning December 2 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Of course, we have to know what they’re doing, and we have to know their personnel. They have Patrick Sleat and Gojo Cruz, sila yung heart and soul ng team nila. Kailangan namin limitahan sila para we have a good chance of closing the game and winning the series,” Ricardo said.
Jimboy Estrada led the Knights with 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists while shooting 3-of-4 from deep. Kevin Santos added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Jun Roque provided a spark off the bench with 11 points.
Though Jonathan Manalili didn’t make a single field goal, he contributed in all other areas with 12 assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
The Knights broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring the Chiefs 22-11 to overturn a three-point deficit into a 39-31 halftime advantage.
After a relatively even third quarter, Arellano cut the lead to 64-62 on Anjord Cabotaje’s triple at the 8:19 mark of the fourth. But the combined scoring of Buensalida and Estrada, along with Manalili’s steady playmaking, pushed Letran ahead by double digits, 77-67, with 1:27 left — enough to secure the win.
“Basketball is a game of runs. Nung pinasok nila si Cabotaje, he delivered. Kailangan pa namin i-improve yung mga ganiyang aspects heading into the semifinals,” Ricardo said.
“Hindi ako masaya with them because we are a bit shaky. We have to consider na bago sa kanila yun. Mahirap i-demand sa kanila because it takes some time for them to experience ang ganiyang klaseng game. But it will help us heading into the semifinals,” he added.
Despite the loss, Season 101 remained a strong showing for the Chiefs, who finished second in Group B after the eliminations.
T-Mc Ongotan posted 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Cabotaje chipped in 18 points in the defeat.
The Scores:
Letran 77 – Estrada 19, Santos 15, Roque 11, Buensalida 10, Omega 8, Montecillo 6, Cuajao 5, Manalili 3, Gammad 0
Arellano 69 – Ongotan 23, Cabotaje 18, Libang 9, Geronimo 6, Vinoya 5, Valencia 4, Demetria 4, Camay 0, Abiera 0, Hernal 0, Borromeo 0, Acop 0
Quarterscores: 17-20, 39-31, 62-54, 77-69
