By Kevin Estrada
Letran relied on Deo Cuajao and John Sherick Estrada as it edged San Sebastian in double-overtime, 101-98, in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Knights avenged their first-round loss to the Golden Stags in the most dramatic way possible, snapping a three-game losing skid and keeping their postseason hopes alive.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, hangga’t may oras wag kayong bibitaw,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo. “[Yung] mga ganitong challenges, i-embrace natin. That’s normal in basketball.”
The marathon win put the Muralla-based outfit back in fourth place after improving to 7-6. Baste eventually fell to 3-10 for the season after two straight setbacks.
Cuajao led all scorers with 34 points on a superb 63% (12/19) shooting, including 7/12 from beyond the arc.
Returning from a one-game suspension, Estrada fired 30 markers while coming off the bench.
Letran had two chances to win it earlier, but the Stags hit timely shots each time to force the proverbial fifth quarter.
Rafael Are sent the game into the first extra session, knocking down a long three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 77 apiece.
Then, Tristan Felebrico split his charities for a 90-90 stalemate at the end of the first OT.
However, Cuajao had the last say in this enduring contest, sinking the dagger triple to break a 98-98 deadlock with 15.1 seconds remaining in the second extension.
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
Quarter scores: 25-18, 34-41, 60-64, 77-77 (reg.), 90-90 (OT), 101-98 (2OT)
