Jimboy Estrada took over in the clutch as Colegio de San Juan de Letran survived University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in exhausting triple overtime, 82-73, in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday.
The resurgent Knights have now won three games in a row to secure the solo second spot at 5-2 while the ALTAs snapped their two-game winning streak to drop to 4-3.
Estrada, who was limited to just two points at the interval, dropped six markers in the crucial third overtime, including back-to-back jumpers that sent the Knights to an 80-73 lead with 44 seconds to go.
The 6-foot guard then sank two charities to seal the deal as the Knights overcame a 14-point deficit early in the third period en route to the gritty victory that saw the two teams figure in the first triple overtime since August 1, 2014 when JRU defeated Arellano, 99-98.
"Nando'n 'yung sitwasyon na even though we were down, nae-ensayo namin 'yan, alam namin kung paano kami babalik," Letran rookie coach Allen Ricardo said.
"A win is a win pero siyempre babalikan namin 'yung mga naging mistakes namin. But you know, hats off to Perpetual. Talagang ang galing ng mga players ni Coach Olsen."
The Knights saw themselves in a 34-20 hole when the ALTAs unleashed an 11-0 rampage to open the third, but Letran still found many ways to crawl back from any deficit.
Kevin Santos, whose heroics propelled them to wins against Benilde and EAC, scored a putback that tied things up at 52-all to force the first overtime.
Perpetual big man JP Boral then took charge in the first extra period, fueling a personal 8-0 run for a 60-55 cushion, but another Santos drop ball forced a deadlock and a second overtime.
Both teams traded long bombs in the second OT, but mishaps from both ends as well saw Letran and Perpetual in another stalemate as they headed to the last overtime.
Deo Cuajao, whose key baskets kept Perpetual at bay, churned out 19 points while Nat Montecillo chipped in 14 markers. Santos finished with another double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds alongside five blocks, two steals, and one assist.
Scores:
Letran 82 - Cuajao 19, Montecillo 14, Estrada 12, Santos 12, Nunag 11, Miller 8, Javillonar 6, Dimaano 0, Baliling 0, Go, Jumao-As 0, Delfino 0.
Perpetual 73 - Pagaran 14, Boral 14, Orgo 11, Gojo Cruz 9, Pizarro 8, Gelsano 6, Nuñez 4, Montemayor 3, Abis 2, Manuel 2, Thompson 0.
Quarters: 11-10, 20-23, 37-45, 52-52, 60-60 (OT), 68-68 (2OT), 82-73 (3OT).
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
