Colegio de San Juan de Letran needed to overcome a slow start before stunning twice-to-beat Arellano University, 87-78, in the NCAA Season 101 quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre.
The Knights flexed their might by leaning on Titing Manalili, Jimboy Estrada, Kevin Santos, and Deo Cuajao as they now drag the Chiefs to a do-or-die match on Friday.
Manalili flirted with a double-double of 15 points and nine assists while Estrada shone with 22 markers to go with four boards, two dimes, and a steal.
Big man Santos dazzled with 20 points, highlighted by a poster dunk late in the fourth, while Cuajao chipped in 11 markers and six boards.
"We started flat eh. Ang sama ng start namin. Hindi kami makakuha ng momentum kasi ang dami rin namin binigay na offensive rebounds and second chance points," Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.
"Despite struggling, nandun pa rin kami at dumidikit. Sabi ko lang we just need multiple stops."
Armed with a twice-to-beat bonus, Arellano came to the game oozing with confidence with T-Mc Ongotan and CJ Libang doing the work as Arellano surged to a lead as big as 11 in the first period, 27-16.
But Letran came to conquer as well.
The Knights started the rally in the third period, where Manalili and Estrada hit a triple each to fuel a massive 13-0 blast that turned a 56-58 deficit to a 69-58 cushion.
Arellano then hit a snag when big man CJ Libang fouled out and the Chiefs bench was called for a technical foul with 2:10 left in the frame, allowing Letran to close out the period ahead by seven, 67-75.
The Knights also doubled up on their defense, holding the whole Arellano squad to just seven field goals in the third.
Then it was just all Letran in the fourth.
Santos completed a two-handed throwdown poster dunk against the defense of Girbaud Demetria before Jun Roque completed an uncontested slam to shut the door on Arellano's bid for automatic Final Four entry.
Ongotan once again did it all for the Chiefs, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while Basti Valencia churned out 11 markers, three boards, and two dimes.
Scores:
Letran 87 – Estrada 22, Santos 20, Manalili 15, Cuajao 11, Omega 9, Buensalida 6, Roque 2, Tapenio 2, Gammad 0, Montecillo 0, Rosilio 0.
Arellano 78 – Ongotan 18, Valencia 11, Cabotaje 10, Libang 10, Vinoya 9, Camay 8, Demetria 4, Geronimo 4, Hernal 3, Abiera 1, Borromeo 0, Buenaventura 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 48-46, 75-67, 87-78.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
