Vince Cuajao exploded from behind the arc as Letran needed two overtime periods to survive San Sebastian, 101-98, in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

The feisty guard unloaded seven three-pointers including the crucial one he made in the last 15.1 seconds of the second extra period that iced the game and secured them their seventh win against six defeats.

The victory not only snapped Letran’s three-game losing spell but also replicated its 91-84 triumph over San Sebastian in the first round over a month ago.

Cuajao was unstoppable on the offensive end, erupting for 34 points including nine in the first overtime. He also swatted away two blocked shots.

Letran had multiple chances of closing the game early particularly in the regulation, where Cuajao attempted and missed a buzzer-beating triple to answer back Paeng Are’s three-pointer in the last 3.8 ticks that extended the game.

Cuajao also split his charities in the last 4.6 seconds of the first overtime period to give Letran the 90-89 lead, but a costly foul from Kevin Santos allowed San Sebastian’s Tristan Felebrico to the charity stripe, draining one of the two free throws to forge the second overtime.

Still unfazed, the Knights went on and uncorked a quick 5-2 run for a 96-92 lead early in the second extra period and held on to that advantage until the final buzzer.

Jimboy Estrada came back from a one-game suspension and sizzled with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Santos finished with a double-double effort of 13 points and 11 boards on top of three blocks.

Paeng Are scored 27 points until fouling out early in the second overtime, which was crucial to San Sebastian as it failed to sustain its charge.

Felebrico had 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Leo Velasco chipped in 12 points and 11 boards in a losing effort for the Stags as they fell to their 10th loss against three victories.

In the other game, Arellano turned back University of Perpetual Help, 66-59, to stay in the Final Four hunt.

Trailing 55-45 late in the third period, the Chiefs found a way to slow down the Altas by holding them to just four points the rest of the way to clinch their fifth win against eight defeats and tie with their victims.

The scores:

First Game

LETRAN 101 – Cuajao 34, Estrada 30, Santos 13, Javillonar 8, Miller 6, Dimaano 4, Montecillo 2, Jumao-As 2, Nunag 2, Tagotongan 0, Sarza 0, Go 0, Baliling 0.

SAN SEBASTIAN 98 – Are 27, Felebrico 19, Aguilar 14, Velasco 12, Escobido 7, Ricio 6, R. Gabat 6, L. Gabat 3, Maliwat 3, Suico 1, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 25-18; 34-41; 60-64; 77-77 (reg.); 90-90 (OT); 101-98 (2OT).

Second Game

ARELLANO 66 - Vinoya 20, Angolan 11, Abierta 10, Valencia 8, Geronimo 6, Hernal 5, Capulong 4, Borromeo 2, Camay 0, Miller 0, Flores 0, Libang 0.

PERPETUAL HELP 59 - Abis 12, Gojo Cruz 11, Nunez 9, Montemayor 9, Pagaran 7, Boral 7, Pizarro 2, Manuel 2, Javier 0, Gelsano 0, Movida 0.

Quarters: 16-13; 33-39; 48-55; 66-59.