By Kevin Estrada
Colegio de San Juan de Letran kept its playoff hopes alive as it took down archrivals San Beda with a 75-71 decision in the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the FilOil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
With their backs against the wall, the Knights edged the Red Lions in a gritty encounter before a packed house. Consequently, Letran remains in the postseason hunt by improving to 8-9, snapping a three-game losing skid.
The loss ended San Beda’s chance for a twice-to-beat advantage after falling to a record of 10-6, with the incentive now going to co-leaders Mapúa and St. Benilde.
CSJL head coach Allen Ricardo was relieved that his men from Muralla survived the axe and lived on to fight for another day.
“This is a do-or-die Sunday, ibigay natin ang lahat. Wag na tayong magtipid,” he said after the game, which also snapped their five-game losing skid to their Mendiola counterparts dating back to 2022.
Guard John Sherick Estrada proved his worth when it mattered, firing a game-high 24 points on a 10/21 field-goal shooting and adding nine assists, five rebounds, a steal, and a blocked shot to his stellar line.
Forward Kobe Monje came off the bench to score 15 markers on a perfect shooting display, hitting an immaculate 6/6 from the field.
James Payosing led the defending champions with 16 points, including a three-point play off Pao Javillonar’s fifth and final foul to give San Beda a 71-70 lead with 45.4 seconds left.
Estrada took his midrange mastery to the next level, knocking down a pair of those jumpers to give the Knights the lead for good, 74-71 with 19.5 seconds to go.
Nat Montecillo split his free throws to secure insurance points, allowing Letran to avenge their narrow defeat in the first round.
The scores:
LETRAN 75 – Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cuajao 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-As 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Miller 0, Dimaano 0
SAN BEDA 71 – Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Royo 0, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0
Quarter scores: 22-23, 40-38, 57-57, 75-71
