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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Knights turn back Chiefs to force decider in NCAA Season 101 quarters

Knights turn back Chiefs to force decider in NCAA Season 101 quarters

Published Nov 26, 2025 03:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Colegio de San Juan de Letran turned back Arellano, 87-78, to force a do-or-die game in their quarterfinals clash in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Kevin Santos shines as Letran lives for another day. (NCAA/GMA Images)
Kevin Santos shines as Letran lives for another day. (NCAA/GMA Images)
Colegio de San Juan de Letran turned back Arellano, 87-78, to force a do-or-die game in their quarterfinals clash in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada formed a 1-2 lethal combo that spearheaded a third-quarter surge which flipped a 56-58 deficit to a 69-58 breakaway to carry the Knights past T-mac Ongotan and the Chiefs until the final buzzer.
The outcome put Letran and twice-to-beat holder Arellano in a rubber match which is set this Friday, Nov. 28, at the same venue.
From there, the victor would face either Perpetual or Jose Rizal University in the semifinals.
For veteran big man Kevin Santos, it was Letran’s heartbreak that served as motivation for them to keep their fight for contention this year.
“Sabi ko lang sa mga teammates ko kagabi, maglaro lang kami, ayaw na namin umiyak kasi pinagdaanan na namin ‘yong sakit ng ganun last season eh,” said Santos, who starred with a game-high of 20 points on top of nine rebounds.
“Sa mga practices namin bago ‘to, nag-focus lang kami [and] wala rin kaming buhat [na negative energy] kaya medyo magaan pakiramdam namin,” he added.
Apart from Santo, Estrada delivered with 22 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Manalili, who played his first playoff match, tallied 15 points, two rebounds, nine assists, one block, and three steals.
Ongotan, on the other hand, uncorked 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Basti Valencia contributed 11 points, three rebounds and two assists, but those efforts weren’t to save the Chiefs.
The 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.
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