By: Joaquin Cortez
Colegio de San Juan de Letran bounced back from a heartbreaking overtime loss, outlasting Jose Rizal University, 70-66, in a hard-fought encounter in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
After suffering a two-point overtime defeat to Mapúa University on Monday, the Knights returned to the win column to improve to 5-3, tying the Arellano Chiefs for first place in the Group B standings.
Letran played without star guard Titing Manalili for the second straight game as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, JRU saw its four-game winning streak snapped, dropping to 6-2 and missing a chance to claim the top spot in Group A following College of Saint Benilde’s loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College earlier in the afternoon.
“Of course, I am happy na kahit wala si [Manalili], nakaka-execute na ang mga guards namin. Pag naaalis sila, nasusunod pa rin ang gusto kong mangyari offensively, defensively, and I am happy with that,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo.
“We needed this win kasi we only have six games. So, we’re thinking one game at a time, but we really needed this win para makuha namin ‘yung tamang peak going to the playoffs,” he added.
The Knights took control early in the second half, with Aaron Buensalida and Nat Montecillo draining back-to-back three-pointers to give Letran its biggest lead of the game at 47-33.
However, Lawrene Mangubat sparked JRU’s third-quarter resurgence, leading a 19-6 run with timely baskets to cut the deficit to just one, 53-52.
The Bombers eventually reclaimed the lead for the first time since the opening quarter when Ivan Panapanaan connected with Sean Salvador on a give-and-go play to put JRU ahead, 58-57.
Letran responded with a decisive 6-0 run, capped by Buensalida’s layup, to regain control and build a six-point cushion at 64-58.
JRU refused to go down without a fight, as Jay Mangupil converted a layup to pull the Bombers within two, 67-65, with 2:49 remaining.
The Bombers had several opportunities to take control in the final two minutes but struggled to convert down the stretch. With 23 seconds left, Buensalida hounded Mangupil into a turnover, dealing another blow to JRU’s comeback bid.
Montecillo split his free throws on the ensuing possession, giving JRU one last opportunity to force overtime. Mangubat found Hubilla in the right corner for a potential game-tying three-pointer, but Hubilla missed the shot, allowing Letran to escape with the victory after converting crucial free throws in the closing seconds.
Chad Gammad led the Knights with 21 points, 17 of which came in the first half. Denzil Walker contributed 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Kevin Santos added 10 points.
Mangubat paced JRU with 18 points and eight assists, while Salvador finished with 11 points and four assists.
After posting a season-high performance against Emilio Aguinaldo College in his previous outing, Chris Hubilla struggled against the Knights, finishing with just five points on 2-of-8 shooting in 24 minutes and 16 seconds of action.
Both teams will return to action on Tuesday, October 20. Letran will face College of Saint Benilde at 3 p.m., while JRU will look to get back on track against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
Letran 70 – Gammad 21, Walker 11, Santos 10, Buensalida 8, Montecillo 8, Cargo 5, Reyes 3, Estrada 2, Hugo 2, Villanueva 0.
Jose Rizal 66 – Mangubat 18, Salvador 11, Garupil 8, Panapanaan 6, Hubilla 5, Eligado 4, Penaverde 3, Duque 3, Garcia 2, Palis 2, Masiglat 2, Laurenaria 2, Herrera 0.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 41-33, 54-52, 70-66.
