By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Letran sent College of St. Benilde crashing back to earth with a come-from-behind 71-69 victory on Sunday, Sept. 22, in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
It was the Knights’ third win in five matches to tie with the University of Perpetual Help and the San Beda Red Lions at third while also dealing the Blazers their first loss after four straight triumphs.
Vince Cuajao scattered 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to anchor Letran in the crunch, where it slowly erased its 14-point deficit, 60-46, in the final 8:43 of the game.
“I just told the boys to focus on the defense. Just keep the game close, pagdating sa dulo, we’ll have the chance,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.
That chance arrived and they definitely took it.
Tied at 69 with 13.3 seconds to go, Kevin Santos came out of nowhere and delivered his only basket when it mattered most off an assist from Nat Montecillo to give the Knights the crucial lead.
Unusually rattled, the Blazers stumbled with their attempt to win the game as Jose Eusebio’s buzzer-beating jumper behind the arc bounced off the rim.
Jimboy Estrada also fueled Letran with 17 points and five rebounds before fouling out in the last 1:24 of the game, while Paolo Javillonar chipped in 13 points in 23 minutes of action.
Winston Ynot had 15 points, while Allen Liwag posted 12 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a losing cause for St. Benilde, which was now one game ahead closest pursuer Mapua (3-1).
The scores:
LETRAN 71 – Cuajao 20, Estrada 17, Javillonar 13, Montecillo 8, Monje 8, Santos 2, Nunag 2, Galoy 1, Delfino 0, Dimaano 0, Baliling 0, Miller 0, Jumao-As 0, Pradella 0.
ST. BENILDE 69 – Ynot 15, Liwag 12, Sangco 11, Torres 7, Cajucom 6, Sanchez 5, Eusebio 5, Ancheta 4, Cometa 2, Oli 2, Morales 0, Turco 0.
Quarters: 20-14; 35-41; 46-55; 71-69.
