NCAA: Cuajao comes through as Letran gains solo fourth with 2OT win

Letran Knights’ Deo Cuajao.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Vince Cuajao never doubted himself even if the stakes were astronomically high.

The cold-blooded Letran marksman comfortably buried a game-clinching three on Monday, lifting the Knights in a rollercoaster 101-98 win in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

Cuajao was left open just outside the arc and drilled the triple that really mattered with 15.1 seconds remaining as the Knights repulsed the hard-fighting San Sebastian College Stags in double overtime.

READ: NCAA: Led by rookie Chris Hubilla, Mapua trips Letran

“If we want to win, I know I have to deliver. I’m just glad that most of my shots went in,” said Cuajao in Filipino after posting a conference-high 34 points, highlighted by seven triples. “I have to be focused and confident in taking every shot.”

Letran’s triumph erased the memory of its previous setback at the hands of the Mapua Cardinals, installing the Knights at solo fourth with a 7-6 record.

But it was never easy to dispose of the Stags, who nearly yanked the Knights before dropping their 10th game in 13 outings.

San Sebastian go-to guy Paeng Are swished a three with the clock winding down in regulation, forcing the extension period.

The Knights were in control and could have finished the Stags, but Tristan Felebrico’s free throw with seconds remaining got them into another overtime.

READ: NCAA: Jimboy Estrada out for crucial tiff as Letran appeal denied

Tied at 98, the Knights whipped a pass to an undefended Cuajao, who ruthlessly drove in the dagger before Felebrico flubbed another shot at the buzzer on the other end.

“He’s a clutch player and (Cuajao) has the authority to shoot. He’s not afraid to take those crucial shots,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.

Jimboy Estrada also fired a career-high 30 points and Kevin Santos had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights who matched the Stags’ shooting spree, including 10 three-pointers.

Are led the Stags with 27 points and Felebrico had another sterling performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds, but couldn’t pull their team out of the pits.

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)