Jimboy Estrada and Jace Miller towed Colegio de San Juan de Letran past Jose Rizal University, 70-62, to enter the win column on Friday in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
It was a tight affair for most of the game until the 4:16 mark of the fourth period when Joshua Guiab tied the game at 58. Back-to-back triples from Deo Cuajao widened the Knights' margin, followed by a basket from Jimboy Estrada to give them a 66-58 lead.
Shawn Argente cut the deficit with less than two minutes remaining after a triple but Estrada sealed the deal with a jumper and free throws eventually as Letran cruised to its first win.
"I'm happy but 'yun ang pinakamahirap eh, 'yung unang panalo. The last time, nandun na kami versus Baste. I thought we can close it, but basketball is a game of mistakes so doon ko makikita 'yung haba ng pasensya ko sa kanila. Eventually, we came up short the first game and biggest challenge sa akin paano ko sila iaangat," head coach Allen Ricardo said about the bounce back win.
"Ito sabi ko regardless, sabi ko sagot ko kayo para lang mawala ang pressure sa kanila."
Estrada was a rebound shy of a double-double as he also had 22 points, two assists, a steal, and a block.
"Nagtrabaho kami sa practice, adjust kami sa depensa namin, and nakinig lang kami sa coach namin," Estrada said.
Miller, meanwhile, had 16 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two steals as Letran improved to 1-1.
Miller was crucial in the first half with seven points as Letran had the lead, 32-31.
Argente led the Heavy Bombers with 18 points, while Guiab chipped in 12 points as JRU was dealt its second consecutive loss.
Letran will go against Arellano University next on Tuesday and expected to bolster them is Pao Javillonar who has been suspended for two games.
"Importante makuha namin [ang] unang panalo para makuha ang rhythm kasi iba talaga ang nabibigay 'pag panalo ka — confidence, camaraderie, unity ng team. I'm happy nakuha namin 'yun but again, it's just the start. Mahaba pa ang liga, marami pang puwede mangyari," said Ricardo.
JRU, on the other hand, will face Lyceum of the Philippines University on Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
