By MARK REY MONTEJO
Colegio de San Juan de Letran scored a 74-70 win over Perpetual to march into the NCAA Season 101 Finals after a three-year wait on Friday, Dec. 5, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Friday, Dec. 5.
Trailing by six, 64-70, midway into the payoff period, the Knights dug deep from their bag of tricks and stormed back with a 8-0 blitz – ended by Jimboy Estrada’s triple – to seize a 72-70 cushion before his teammate Jun Roque, a former Altas, hit the last two of his four free throws to seal the match.
Aside from sweeping Perpetual, Letran marked its finals return since it last won the crown in 2022. On the other hand, the Altas had a better finish this time compared to their last three stints where they didn’t reach the semis.
The Intramuros-based squad now inches closer to its 21st overall crown and is set to face either College of St. Benilde or archrival San Beda in the finals.
The Blazers and the Red Lions are set to meet in a sudden death match this Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Pinanghawakan ko nalang si Lord [kanina] na magkaro’n kami ng maraming stops at good execution,” coach Allen Ricardo said. “The team is blessed that we’re in the championship now and we’ll work on it more.”
Titing Manalili dazzled anew for the Knights after collecting 16 points, four rebounds, 14 assists, and one steal, while Estrada posted 11 points, four rebounds, one assist, one block, and four steals.
Roque and Deo Cuajao registered nine points apiece, while Mark Omega and Kevin Santos added seven and six points, respectively.
Patrick Sleat produced 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Mark Gojo Cruz and John Abis unloaded 15 and 10 points, respectively, which all went for naught as Perpetual closed out its promising season.
The scores:
LETRAN 74 – Manalili 16, Estrada 11, Roque 9, Cuajao 9, Omega 7, Buensalida 7, Santos 6, Gammad 5, Tapenio 4, Montecillo 0.
PERPETUAL 70 – Sleat 17, Gojo Cruz 15, Abis 10, Orgo 7, Nuñez 6, Boral 5, Tulabut 3, Alcantara 3, Casinilio 2, Maglupay 2.
Quarters: 18-15, 39-42, 54-64, 74-70.
