Kevin Santos picked up where he left off, towing the peaking Colegio de San Juan de Letran to a narrow escape against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 75-73, for back-to-back NCAA Season 100 wins on Wednesday.
The third-year big man put up a career-high 17 points, highlighted by a one-handed slam off a Jimboy Estrada dish to put the finishing kick amidst an EAC comeback, as the Knights improved to 4-2 for a share of second spot with Perpetual.
Santos, whose key basket propelled Letran past league-leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde last Sunday, also grabbed five rebounds, six blocks, and a steal to send the Generals reeling to their fourth loss in six games.
"For today's game, it's toughness. Last game kasi courage, so ito toughness. Sabi ko kailangan matapatan natin 'yung toughness ng EAC kahit anong mangyari," Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.
"We needed to execute things both on offense and defense."
Letran, though, had to weather a strong second half from the Generals, who erased what was once a 17-point deficit following a Nat Montecillo triple to open the third period, 50-33.
What followed was a scorching 20-4 rampage from the Generals, who took advantage of a foul troubled backcourt of Letran with both Jimboy Estrada and Montecillo committing four fouls early, as they pulled to within just one at 54-53.
The Knights then dug deep with the entry of Jace Miller, who scored key baskets as they held a slim 60-56 lead heading to the fourth.
King Gurtiza tried to single-handedly lift EAC back to the game, but the Generals struggled to put the clamps on Letran with Estrada converting a jumper followed by the dunk of Santos for a 74-69 lead in the final 1:14.
Deo Cuajao chipped in 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists while Estrada was able to finish the game with 11 markers, eight boards, seven dimes, one steal, and one block despite a foul-plagued outing.
"Na-foul trouble si Montecillo at Estrada kaya medyo naging shaky 'yung opensa namin at depensa. And then somehow, nag-step up sila Miller, quality minutes," Ricardo said.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
