Pao Javillonar had a game to remember in his return, dropping a career-high to power Colegio de San Juan de Letran to an 86-79 comeback win against Arellano University in the NCAA Season 100 on Tuesday.
The graduating big man, who was coming off a two-game ban, erupted for a career-best 28 points behind 3-of-5 shooting from downtown to go with eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks to give the Knights their second win in three games after erasing a 13-point deficit.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, fell to a 0-3 hole.
"Hindi ko naman makukuha 'yun kung hindi dahil sa teammates ko na hard-working din sa loob. We work as a team kaya nakuha din namin 'yung panalo," Javillonar said.
"Wala naman sa akin 'yun, kung ano 'yung puntos, ang importante ay win is a win so next play."
[I wouldn't be able to do that if not for my teammates who are just as hard-working on the court. We work as a team so we were able to clinch the win. It doesn't mean anything to me, how many points I score, what's important is a win is a win so next play.]
The 6-foot-5 Javillonar caught fire early, reaching the 15-point mark in just the first half though a shaky start for the Knights saw them staring at a 54-46 deficit at the break.
But the wards of head coach Allen Ricardo slowly crawled their way back with Deo Cuajao burying a corner triple to give his side a 72-71 lead midway through the fourth.
Javillonar then scored on a putback before Cuajao knocked down another long bomb for a 77-73 cushion. Renzo Abiera retaliated with back-to-back three-pointers as Arellano regained a 79-77 lead in the final three minutes.
But Javillonar wasn't to be stopped, completing a three-point play off a T-mc Ongotan for another one-point cushion at 80-79. The backcourt tandem of Nat Montecillo and Jimboy Estrada then put the finishing touches.
Estrada chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block while rookie Jace Miller churned out 11 points, five rebounds, three dimes, and two swats.
The scores:
Letran 86 - Javillonar 28, Estrada 14, Miller 11, Cuajao 6, Go 6, Monje 5, Dimaano 5, Jumao-os 4, Nunag 4, Montecillo 2, Delfino 1, Pradella 0, Santos 0, Tagotongan 0.
Arellano 79 - Vinoya 16, Hernal 11, Capulong 11, Abiera 10, Ongotan 10, Geronimo 7, Valencia 6, Camay 4, Borromeo 2, Libang 2, De Leon 0, Acop 0, Miller 0, Espiritu 0.
Quarters: 28-28, 46-54, 63-69, 86-79.
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—JMB, GMA Integrated News
