Letran’s Deo Cuajao.-NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Letran outlasted Perpetual Help, 82-73, in triple overtime to solidify its hold of the second spot in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at San Juan Arena.
Drawing clutch plays from several players, the Knights cruised to their third straight win and rose to 5-2, moving just a half-game behind league-leader College of St. Benilde (5-1).
Nat Montecillo hit a clutch 3-pointer that forced the last extra session at 68-all with 46.2 seconds left before sinking another big triple that helped set the tone for the Knights in the third OT.
READ: NCAA: Letran wins second straight, JRU zooms past Arellano
Deo Cuajao paced Letran with 19 points on five 3-pointers and five rebounds while Montecillo added 14 points while the duo of Kevin Santos and Sherick Estrada both snagged double-doubles with identical numbers of 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Santos also flourished in the crucial moments. He made the game-tying shot with 6.4 ticks to go in regulation before knotting the count again at 60 with 1:08 remaining that paved the way for the second OT.
Christian Pagaran and JP Boral dropped 14 points each for the Altas, who fell to a 4-3 card.
Chiefs shock Red Lions
San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.-NCAA PHOTO
In a major upset, cellar-dweller Arellano University shocked defending champion San Beda, 72-70.
The Chiefs picked up just their second win in seven outings and sent the Red Lions into a fourth-place tie with idle Lyceum in fourth at 3-3.
READ: NCAA: San Beda returns to win column, star rooki lifts Perpetual
The tandem of Lorenz Capulong and Jaedan Ongotan headlined Arellano’s stunning with with 13 points each while Ernest Geronimo also helped the cause with 12 points.
Jomel Puno led the offense for San Beda with 20 points and six rebounds while RC Calimag chipped in 14.
San Beda looks to bounce back on Tuesday when they rekindle its rivalry with Letran at the same venue.