Aldous Torculas delivered the biggest shots of the game as San Beda University defeated Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 74-65, in overtime in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The 6-foot-4 forward hit the game-tying three-pointer in regulation before knocking down two more triples in overtime to put the Knights away.
“I’m gonna be honest, ‘yung tumatakbo sa isip ko noon; sobrang hirap pala manalo. Kami ni Jimmy [Reyes], nag-usap kami na ayaw na namin matalo,” said Torculas, who was visibly in tears after the game.
Torculas finished with a game-high 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists. He had missed his first seven attempts from beyond the arc before finally finding the mark to force overtime.
In a rematch of the Season 101 Finals, the Red Lions improved to 4-2 in Group A, while the Knights fell to 3-2 in Group B. The victory also gave San Beda its second straight win after it routed San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 85-55, last Friday.
With Letran holding a three-point lead in the final seconds of regulation, Torculas drilled a clutch triple to tie the game at 61-all with 4.1 seconds remaining.
Jimboy Estrada had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his jumper missed the mark, sending the contest into overtime.
Denzil Walker fouled out within the first minute of the extra period, allowing Lawrence Hawkins to sink both free throws. Hawkins, however, also committed his fifth foul shortly after.
Torculas’ hot shooting continued in overtime as he knocked down another three-pointer to give San Beda a 66-61 lead with three minutes remaining.
The Red Lions then stretched their advantage to 72-62 after Torculas and JC Bonzalida each connected from beyond the arc. Estrada answered with a three-pointer of his own, but San Beda held firm in the final minute to secure the victory.
“I told them before the game, we just have to stay true to the habits that we built, from the preseason to the start of the season. Stay true to what San Beda Red Lions basketball is,” said head coach Yuri Escueta.
“Every time we play San Beda-Letran, expect both teams to give their best. Good day for basketball today,” he added.
Dan Marcelo was the Red Lions’ other double-figure scorer, finishing with 10 points and three rebounds.
Andrei Ugaddan added eight points and an impressive 10 rebounds, while Reyes contributed seven points and seven assists.
Estrada paced Letran with 17 points and five rebounds, while Kevin Santos added 10 points, four rebounds, and five blocks.
Titing Manalili, who returned from injury, contributed 13 points, eight assists, six steals, and five rebounds.
The Knights will next face Lyceum of the Philippines University on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 3:00 PM. Meanwhile, the Red Lions will take on the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA at 5:00 PM.
Both games will take place at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Scores:
San Beda 74 – Torculas 18, Marcelo 10, Ugaddan 8, Reyes 7, Hawkins 7, Sarigumba 7, Bonzalida 5, Puno 4, Estacio 2, Etulle 2, Calimag 2, Efron 2, Jalbuena 0, Lina 0.
Letran 65 – Estrada 17, Manalili 13, Santos 10, Walker 8, Cargo 5, Buensalida 5, Hugo 4, Gammad 2, Reyes 1, Montecillo 0.
Quarterscores: 11-17, 34-34, 50-45, 61-61, 74-65.
