Perpetual sends Letran skidding; CSB survives free-falling San Sebastian

MANILA, Philippines – The Perpetual Help Altas bounced back in a big way in the opening week of their NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball second-round run, slaying the Letran Knights, 71-61, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Sunday, October 13.

Coming off a 70-78 defeat to EAC just two days prior, the Olsen Racela-coached squad rebounded to a 5-6 record in seventh place just behind the 5-5 Generals and sent Letran down a 6-5 slate, still in fourth, off its second straight loss.

Christian Pagaran led the win with a game-high 19 points in just 25 minutes, while Mark Gojo Cruz kept chugging along with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 3-of-4 from three.

Jimboy Estrada flirted with a triple-double in the loss, tallying a full line of 14 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block.

However, the Letran star guard’s possible Mythical Five and Rookie of the Year bid is now in serious jeopardy after he slapped away a referee’s hand during a discussion with Perpetual players with 2:40 left in regulation, causing a quick ejection call.

Per a GMA Sports report, Letran is set to appeal the disqualifying foul since Estrada will be deemed ineligible for all individual awards should the automatic one-game suspension push through.

Meanwhile, the CSB Blazers again escaped the jaws of defeat with a 91-85 squeaker over the free-falling San Sebastian Stags to keep first place with an 8-2 record.

Playing without star guard Tony Ynot, Allen Liwag picked up the slack as usual with team-highs of 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Ian Torres and Matthew Oli scored 13 and 12, respectively.

Paeng Are, after towing the Stags to a 2-0 start built off back-to-back comeback wins, reemerged with a game-high 29 points plus 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists, but was ultimately unable to stop his squad from dropping its seventh consecutive defeat for a cellar-dwelling 2-7 slate.

The Scores

First Game

Perpetual 71 – Pagaran 19, Gojo Cruz 15, Abis 8, Orgo 8, Pizarro 6, Boral 5, Manuel 4, Montemayor 3, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1.

Letran 61 – Estrada 14, Montecillo 11, Santos 10, Cuajao 8, Monje 7, Javillonar 4, Delfino 3, Nunag 2, Go 2, Miller 0, Baliling 0, Tagotongan 0.

Quarters: 22-13, 41-31, 59-48, 71-61.

Second Game

CSB 91 – Liwag 18, Torres 13, Oli 12, Sanchez 9, Ancheta 9, Jarque 9, Cometa 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 5, Cajucom 3, Morales 2, Eusebio 0, Arciaga 0, Galas 0.

San Sebastian 85 – Are 29, L. Gabat 21, Felebrico 12, Aguilar 6, R. Gabat 6, Suico 5, Ricio 4, Escobido 2, Pascual 0, Barroga 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 42-38, 68-65, 91-85.

– Rappler.com