NCAA: Estrada’s game-winner lifts Letran over San Sebastian

MANILA — Jimboy Estrada knocked down the biggest shot of the game to lift Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 91-89, over San Sebastian in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in  San Juan on Friday. 

The Golden Stags held a slim 87-86 lead with a minute to go, before Aaron Buensalida connected on a short stab for an 88-87 Letran advantage with 38 seconds left.

Nat Montecillo had a chance to ice the game but he split his freebies to give the Knights a two-point lead. Niel Castor went on to tie the game at 89 with still 6.3 seconds to go.

Letran went to Estrada down the stretch and he delivered, sinking a step-back jumper for a 91-89 spread with six-tenths of a second to spare.

Estrada finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists to power Letran to a 7-3 win-loss record.

“I needed to go to my key player. Kumbaga, pinapractice naman namin ‘yon,” coach Allen Ricardo said. “No doubt, no’ng nakita ko na gano’n [‘yong] defense nila, magbbreakdown yung defense nila kay Estrada.”

Chad Gammad top scored for the Knights with 23 points. Buensalida had 21 markers and six rebounds while Froilan Reyes chipped in 13 in the win.

Caesleyh Bacani had 24 points in a losing effort, as the Golden Stags fell to 0-10 in the season. John Ynot filled the stat sheet with 16 markers, six boards and six assists in the defeat.

CSJL 91 – Gammad 23, Buensalida 21, Estrada 14, Reyes 13, Montecillo 7, Walker 6, Cargo 4, Hugo 3, Diamante 0, Borrero 0

SSC R 89 – Bacani 24, Ynot 16, Segovia 13, Castor 12, Ricio 11, Alforque 4, Cuya 4, Muktimar 2, Velasco 2, Suico 1, Kitane 0, Gabat 0, Dimaunahan 0

Quarter scores: 29-15, 48-46, 73-70, 91-89