By: Miguel Caramoan
Colegio de San Juan de Letran is peaking at the perfect time in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
The Knights secured their fifth straight victory and moved within one win of a finals berth after a 77-73 triumph over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Game 1 of the semifinals.
Letran will aim to close out the series in Game 2 on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena, hoping to return to the finals for the first time since Season 98.
Jonathan Manalili delivered another all-around performance with 15 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and six steals. Meanwhile, Jimboy Estrada also added 15 points, including a clutch triple.
The first quarter turned into a high-scoring battle. Chad Gammad’s three triples and Manalili’s eight points outpaced the production of John Abis and Mark Gojo Cruz, giving the Knights a 26-22 lead after the opening period.
“I want to give credit din kay Chad because he worked on his shot, and also Jimboy kasi talagang sipag niyan mag-extra before and after practice,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo.
“Yun talaga kailangan magkaroon ng tinatawag na good execution for us to have the defensive mentality kasi mahirap lang dumepensa ng dumepensa and hindi ka mag-shoot.”
An 11-0 run, capped by a Deo Cuajao three-pointer at the 7:12 mark of the second quarter, gave Letran control. The period also saw an altercation between former Altas Jun Roque and Gojo Cruz, resulting in double technicals.
Letran shot 7-of-12 from beyond the arc to take a 50-36 lead at halftime.
Patrick Sleat’s 11 points in the third quarter helped Perpetual trim the deficit to 59-55 with 3:07 remaining. But Letran’s transition game, fueled by Manalili’s playmaking, kept the Knights ahead at 64-56 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter became a back-and-forth affair, but Letran maintained the upper hand, extending their lead to 72-60 with a Nat Montecillo breakaway layup with 4:47 left.
The Altas made one final push with an 8-0 run, cutting the lead to 72-68 on another Abis bucket. Estrada immediately responded with a contested three-pointer to make it 75-68 with 2:48 remaining.
Free throws kept Perpetual within 75-71, but the Altas failed to convert a field goal and committed a costly backcourt violation, sealing their defeat. Estrada closed the game with two free throws, giving the Knights a 77-71 advantage.
“Syempre, yung second half, don’t relax kasi babalik at babalik yan and ayun na nga yung nangyari. Nakabalik sila and na-foul trouble yung big man namin, so medyo lumiit kami and nahirapan kami sustain yung depensa namin sa ilalim, resulting to offensive rebounds and second chance points,” Ricardo said.
For the Altas, their comeback attempt was fueled by a 49-35 rebounding advantage, converting 23-5 in second-chance points. Sleat and Abis led the charge with 21 and 20 points, respectively, while Gojo Cruz struggled, scoring just 10 points on 30.8% shooting.
“Yun talaga yung game plan eh, kailangan malimitihan namin si Patrick Sleat, Abis, and Gojo Cruz – pero unfortunately si Sleat naka-21 points pa rin. Kumbaga, pick your poison eh, diba?” said Ricardo.
“Hindi talaga lahat madedepensahan namin, but just try to limit them para magkaroon kami ng momentum man lang.”
The Scores:
Letran 77 – Manalili 15, Estrada 15, Gammad 11, Cuajao 9, Buensalida 6, Omega 6, Santos 6, Roque 5, Tapenio 2, Montecillo 2
Perpetual 73 – Sleat 21, Abis 20, Boral 11, Gojo Cruz 10, Tulabut 3, Alcantara 3, Duremdes 2, Gelsano 2, Nunez 1, Orgo 0, Casinillo 0, Maglupay 0
Quarterscores: 26-22, 50-36, 64-56, 77-73
