NCAA: Jimboy Estrada clutch anew as Letran escapes Perpetual
Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Jimboy Estrada against University of Perpetual Help in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Jimboy Estrada was clutch yet again as Colegio de San Juan de Letran escaped University of Perpetual Help, 85-83, to close out its group phase campaign in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.Estrada drained the game-winning triple with 2.2 seconds remaining as the Knights crawled back from a 10-point deficit in the second half to secure their ninth victory in 13 outings.
“From our time out, alam ko na, confident naman ako na makukuha niya yun kasi pina-practice niya naman yun,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo of Estrada, who also hit the game-winner in their 91-89 victory over San Sebastian College.
Chad Gammad was equally solid with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting from long range, while Jonathan Manalili paced the Knights with five points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his second game back from injury.
Justin Cargo and Kevin Santos also added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Letran, which will face the winner of the play-in bout between Mapua University and Lyceum of the Philippines University in the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage.
JM Tulabut, meanwhile, put up a valiant effort, making a go-ahead basket in the final eight seconds before Estrada’s game-winner to finish with 12 points.
However, his efforts went for naught as Perpetual absorbed its ninth loss in 13 games.
The Altas will look to bounce back when they face San Sebastian on Thursday in the play-in round.
Letran 85 — Estrada 19, Gammad 19, Cargo 11, Santos 10, Reyes 6, Manalili 5, Walker 5, Buensalida 5, Valdeavilla 3, Villanueva 2, Hugo 0, Montecillo 0.
Perpetual 83 — Tulabut 12, Gelsano 11, Orgo 10, Corpuz 9, Cristino 9, Montemayor 8, Gojo Cruz 7, Casinillo 7, Maglupay 3, Duremdes 3, Roluna 2, Borja 2.
Quarterscores: 33-21, 45-43, 63-69, 85-83.