San Sebastian College-Recoletos turned the tables on the hottest team in the league, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, thanks to Jhuniel Dela Rama's heroics as he led an 82-81 upset win in the NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre.
Dela Rama, a former high school standout for Letran, sank a tough jumper over the defense of Mark Omega, bringing the Stags to a one-point cushion with 3.4 ticks left in the game. Deo Cuajao then went wide on his final three-pointer attempt, allowing the embattled San Sebastian to complete the huge victory.
Both teams entered the game on opposite five-game streaks with the Knights riding a five-game winning run, while the Stags were reeling from five straight losses.
But San Sebastian will have the last laugh as it improved to 2-7 in Group A. Letran, meanwhile, dropped to 5-4 in Group B.
"I'm so proud of the boys. Speaking of the heart, hindi lang nila pinapakita 'yung heart namin doon sa game but 'yung heart namin kung paano kami mag-commit and kung paano kami lumaban sa mga struggles namin," San Sebastian rookie coach Rob Labagala said.
"It means a lot kasi syempre if you're losing on, two, three ang naging five, 'yung morale mo bababa eh. But ang sinabi ko sa mga bata ay 'wag isipin na natatalo tayo."
San Sebastian came out on a mission, with Oneil Castor and Jhuniel Dela Rama spearheading their first-half surge.
The Stags held the lead from the opening tip all the way to the end of the third period, capped by a timely three-pointer from Castor that pushed them to a six-point cushion, 65-58.
But Letran mounted its comeback in the fourth quarter, with Titing Manalili and Deo Cuajao leading the charge. Trailing 71-63, the backcourt duo ignited a 9-0 rally capped by a Cuajao basket off a Manalili assist, giving the Knights their first lead of the game at 72-71.
Another Manalili bucket made it a 77-73 cushion for Letran.
Dela Rama, though, punished his high school alma mater by first getting an and-one bucket over Manalili before completing a three-point play that regained San Sebastian a 78-77 lead.
Brothers Ian and Deo then traded buckets with the former laying one up for an 80-77 Stags lead before the older Cuajao buried a clutch three-pointer to tie things up in the final 1:01.
Kevin Santos' split from the line allowed Letran to take a slim 81-80 lead with 11.2 seconds to go, but Dela Rama completed the final play specifically designed for him as San Sebastian snapped Letran's impressive five-game winning streak.
Castor led the way with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Dela Rama capped off his big day with 20 markers, seven boards, two dimes, and two steals.
Ian Cuajao and Ralph Gabat chipped in 13 and 12 points.
The loss spoiled Manalili's career-high outing of 26 points that he spiked with 10 rebounds, five assists, and one steal while Deo Cuajao and Jimboy Estrada poured 22 and 10 markers each.
San Sebastian 82 – Castor 22, Dela Rama 20, Ian Cuajao 13, Gabat 12, Felebrico 10, Nepacena 2, Lumanag 2, Dimaunahan 1.
Letran 81 – Manalili 26, Deo Cuajao 22, Estrada 10, Gammad 8, Santos 3, Rosilio 3, Tapenio 3, Buensalida 2, Omega 2, Roque 2.
Quarters: 20-13, 45-39, 65-58, 82-81.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
