Deo Cuajao caught fire in the second half, while Jonathan Manalili remained steady as Colegio de San Juan de Letran broke through in the NCAA Season 101 with an 84-80 win against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The veteran-rookie tandem dazzled to help the Knights end a horror winless start and improve to 1-3 in Group B while the Generals dropped to 1-2.
The graduating Cuajao delivered his season-best performance with 23 points built on a 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc, while first-year Manalili tallied a double-double of 12 points and 13 assists on top of six rebounds and four steals.
"Sabi ko nga kanila, it will be a very challenging season for us. Walang magiging comfortable [game], so lahat 'yan pahihirapan tayo although sinasabi nga nila na we have big names," Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.
"Little by little, itong first win na 'to ang laking bagay sa amin and hoping na magtuloy-tuloy na 'to."
But just like in their first three outings, the Knights once again had to grind it out this time as well.
Letran unleashed a strong start and led by as many as 11 with a 41-30 cushion late in the second period before the EAC slowly crawled its way back, thanks to a 10-3 run in the third that saw the Generals regain a 59-58 lead.
Still, a Cuajao three-pointer was able to help Letran hold on to a slim 63-61 advantage heading to the fourth as they battled through the suffocating defense of EAC.
Cuajao fired another pair of triples before Peter Rosillo drained one of his own, helping the Knights race to a 74-66 lead while Aaron Buensalida, who had a rare double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, made it a 78-71 advantage off a layup.
Cuajao then proved he can also shine on the other end, denying Wilmar Oftana on his triple attempt with less than two minutes left as the Generals couldn't complete the comeback even with huge baskets from Nico Quinal and Jude Bagay.
Aside from Manalili and Cuajao, Kevin Santos also found his rhythm as the big man collected 12 points, five rebounds, and one steal to become the fourth Knight with double-digit production.
Scores:
Letran 84 – Cuajao 23, Santos 15, Buensalida 12, Manalili 12, Estrada 8, Gammad 6, Omega 4, Rosilio 3, Tapenio 1, Gazzingan 0.
EAC 80 – Oftana 16, Quinal 16, Bagay 12, Ochavo 12, Castillo 7, Omandac 6, Lucero 4, Shanoda 4, Angeles 3, Loristo 0, Doria 0, Tolentino 0, Devara 0, Bacud 0, Jacob 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 43-38, 63-61, 84-80
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
