Colegio de San Juan de Letran exacted revenge on its first-round tormentor Jose Rizal University with an 85-71 win on Saturday in the NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil Centre.
The Knights, who lost to the Heavy Bombers in their season opener before dropping the next two games for a tough 0-3 start, returned to the win column following a one-point loss to San Sebastian last week.
With the win, Letran is also now tied with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde at the second spot in Group B with a 6-4 card. JRU, meanwhile, fell to 5-5.
Jimboy Estrada rediscovered his touch by detonating for a team-high 20 points off the bench alongside three assists, three rebounds, and one block.
Big man Kevin Santos imposed his will with 17 markers on an impressive 8-of-9 shooting clip together with seven boards, three steals, and one dime while Titing Manalili finished with eight points and nine assists.
Letran also got invaluable help from its bench with Jun Roque collecting eight points and Deo Cuajao and Mark Omeg both chipping in seven markers.
"I guess it's all about the mindset. They are humble to do what it takes defensively and offensively. 'Yun lang, sabi ko sa kanila sa last game [against JRU], hindi tayo ganito maglaro at mag-desisyon," Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.
"You have to play the right way at the end of the day. Hindi kasi kami nagalro nang tama the last game [against JRU]."
Eager to replicate its previous win against Letran, the Heavy Bombers leaned early on its outside shooting with Sean Salvador firing a triple for a 17-11 lead.
The Knights shrugged off a slow start and unleashed a wild 16-1 turnaround to take a 27-18 cushion early in the second period thanks to the frontcourt trio of Santos, Mark Omega, and Aaron Buensalida.
It was all Letran since then, although JRU would cut the deficit to a single digit courtesy of a pair of free throws from Salvador, 65-57.
But Cuajao and Manalili shot back-to-back baskets before Buensalida completed a reverse layup for a 72-57 advantage in the fourth.
Santos then knocked down a long jumper over the outstretched arms of Ivan Panapanaan while Roque buried a corner triple off a Manalili pass as they built a 78-61 separation en route to the win.
Argente only made two points in the second half after dropping 14 in the first to finish with 16 markers laced with three rebounds and two assists while Harry Herrera churned out 14 markers.
Allan Laurenaria, Stephen Garupil, and Salvador each tallied 11 markers in the JRU loss as the Heavy Bombers could not pick up where they left off from a previous escape victory over Arellano University last Wednesday.
Scores:
Letran 85 - Estrada 20, Santos 17, Manalili 8, Roque 8, Cuajao 7, Omega 7, Buensalida 7, Silorio 6, Rosilio 3, Montecillo 2, Tapenio 0, Gammad 0, Gazzingan 0, Yusi 0.
JRU 71 - Argente 16, Herrera 14, Laurenaria 11, Garupil 11, Salvador 11, Benitez 4, Panapanaan 2, Duque 2, Sarmiento 0, Castillo 0, Peñaverde 0, Casinillo 0, Canoza 0.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
