Deo got the better of the individual matchup, but the younger Ian took home the win– as their old man June watched his two student-athlete sons go at it in their first collegiate head-to-head. 

The NCAA had seen the Semerad twins of San Beda, the Marcelino combo of LPU, and the Gabat bros of San Sebastian– hooper siblings who played side-by-side in the Grand Ol’ League. 

But the rare chance of witnessing brothers exist in the same timeline and compete against each other is NCAA Season 101’s special treat, courtesy of North Cotabato pride Deo and Ian Cuajao. 

So how did the sharpshooting Cuajao brothers fare in their first NCAA clash?

Deo, Letran’s graduating sharp shooter, outpointed his younger brother as he had a major share in his team’s offensive production. 

He tallied 22 total points– only behind fellow Knight Jonathan Manalili’s game-high 26– and had a pivotal role in Letran’s fourth quarter uprising as the Knights crawled back from a seven-point hole at the end of the third. 

His three at the start of the final frame was a massive momentum-shifter, and his three free throw conversions at the 5:39 mark gifted Letran with its first ever lead. 

Deo ended the game with a 5-of-12 shooting clip from beyond the arc laced with four free throws and an assist, capitalizing on catch-and-shoot plays designed for him. He played 28 minutes for Coach Allen Ricardo.

The younger Ian, a fresh-from-high school rookie on the other side of the court, also impressed with 13 points and 3 rebounds for the game winners. 

The former EAC Brigadier showed glimpses of shotmaking prowess and played heavy minutes at the point guard position for Coach Rob Labagala, actively looking for his shots all-game.

He ended the game shooting 33.3% (5/15) from the field, having to endure an off-night from long distance as he only drained 2 of his 11 three-point attempts, but ultimately took home with the victory. He logged in 26 minutes of playing time. 

In a post-game interview, Ian had short but sweet words to celebrate his brotherly win against De, “naka-isa rin.”