By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Vince Cuajao exploded from behind the arc and Letran survived San Sebastian, 101-98, in two overtimes in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The feisty guard unloaded seven three-pointers, including the crucial one in the last 15.1 seconds of the second extra period to finally seal the deal for the Knights who improved to 7-6.
But more than that, the victory snapped Letran’s alarming three-game losing skid apart from repeating over the Stags whom they beat 91-84 in the first round over a month ago.
Cuajao was almost unstoppable, he finished with 34 points including nine in the first overtime. He also had two blocked shots.
Letran had multiple chances of closing the game early particularly in the regulation, where Cuajao attempted and missed a buzzer-beating triple to answer back Paeng Are’s three-pointer in the last 3.8 ticks that extended the game.
Cuajao also split his charities in the last 4.6 seconds of the first overtime period to give Letran the 90-89 lead, but a costly foul from Kevin Santos allowed San Sebastian’s Tristan Felebrico to go the charity stripe where he drained one of two free throws to forge the second overtime.
Tired and all, the Knights made known their desire clear to everyone as they uncorked a quick 5-2 run for a 96-92 lead early in the second extra period and held on to that advantage until the final buzzer.
Jimboy Estrada came back from a one-game suspension and sizzled with 30 points apart from posting seven rebounds and five assists, while Santos finished with a double-double effort of 13 points and 11 boards on top of three blocks.
Paeng Are scored 27 points but fouled early in the second overtime that hastened to the team’s downfall.
Felebrico had 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Leo Velasco chipped in 12 points and 11 boards in a losing effort for the Stags as they fell to their 10th loss against three victories.
The scores:
LETRAN 101 – Cuajao 34, Estrada 30, Santos 13, Javillonar 8, Miller 6, Dimaano 4, Montecillo 2, Jumao-As 2, Nunag 2, Tagotongan 0, Sarza 0, Go 0, Baliling 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 98 – Are 27, Felebrico 19, Aguilar 14, Velasco 12, Escobido 7, Ricio 6, R. Gabat 6, L. Gabat 3, Maliwat 3, Suico 1, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 25-18; 34-41; 60-64; 77-77 (reg.); 90-90 (OT); 101-98 (2OT).
