Knights roll on; Pirates score
Letran is heating up, and Lyceum finally has a win to show.
The Knights grabbed their fourth straight win in NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball, outlasting defending champion Mapua in overtime, 85-82, on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
And one guy on the team is making sure Letran continues riding the neat little wave that has enabled them to bounce back from a rocky start to the tournament.
“I keep reminding my teammates that this win is done. Let’s move on to the next opponent,” said Jonathan Manalili, the rookie who played hero in extra time, who has his reasons to keep the team grounded. “This should not end here. This won’t fully measure if we can be champions.”
Manalili delivered the go-ahead layup with 2:14 left in OT, part of a five-point spurt that broke an 81-all tie. Mapua’s Clint Escamis, fouled on a three-point try in the final 30 seconds, missed two of three freebies—sealing the Knights’ escape.
Jimboy Estrada led Letran with 20 points, Aaron Buensalida added 16 and 10 boards, while Manalili finished with 14 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. The Knights improved to 4-3 in Group B, just behind San Beda (4-1).
Mapua fell to 3-3 in Group A.
Earlier, the Pirates survived a furious Jose Rizal University rally to notch their first win, 78-76, snapping a five-game slide. —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF INQ
