Letran squeaks past

MANILA, Philippines — San Sebastian Letran scraped past San Sebastian, 91-89, in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena yesterday.

Jimboy Estrada delivered the most important bucket of the game down the stretch to help the Knights improve to a 7-3 record.

“I needed to go to my key player. Kumbaga, pinapractice naman namin ‘yon,” coach Allen Ricardo said.

“No doubt, no’ng nakita ko na gano’n ‘yung defense nila, magbi-breakdown yung defense nila kay Estrada.”

The Golden Stags held a slim one-point lead with under a minute to go, 87-86, before Aaron Buensalida gave Letran back the lead with a short stab, 88-87, with 38 seconds to go.

Nat Montecillo had a chance to ice the game but he split his freebies to give the Knights just a two-point lead before Niel Castor tied the game at 89-all with 6.3 seconds remaining in the game.

For the game-winner, Letran went to Estrada, who sank a step-back midrange jumper en route to the 91-89 lead with six-tenths of a second left. He finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Chad Gammad topscored for the Knights with 23 points