LETRAN zoomed to an early lead before having just enough tank in the end game to draw first blood against Perpetual, 77-73, in Game One of the NCAA Season 101 semifinals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Titing Manalili dazzled in his maiden seniors semifinals appearance, powering Letran’s early onslaught as it took a 19-point lead early in the second quarter, with the star guard repeatedly feeding his shooters in Chad Gammad and Deo Cuajao.
The Altas, however, had other plans as John Abis and Patrick Sleat powered a second half comeback.
Perpetual got to within four repeatedly, but it can't complete its rally after a crucial inbounds mishap from Shawn Orgo resulted into a backcourt violation for Perpetual to preserve the win for Letran.
"Well siyempre, yung second half sabi ko don't relax kasi babalik at babalik yan. Yun na nga ang nangyari. Naka-balik sila and na-foul trouble yung big man namin, medyo lumiit kami, nahirapan kami ma-sustain yung defense namin sa ilalim resulting into offensive rebounds to second chance points," Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.
"It happens talaga. I just needed them to regroup, ma-remind na kailangan for us to finish on Friday, we have to get a lot of rebounds."
Knights run rampant early
Chad Gammad ignited Letran's early attack, hitting three treys early on to set the tone early for the Knights, before Manalili and Cuajao joined in powering a 14-2 run to start the second quarter which gave the Knights a 43-24 edge.
Perpetual, however, proved it's the top-seeded team in Group A for a reason as it slowly crept back in to give the Knights a scare in the fourth quarter.
Trailing by 12, the Altas went on an 8-0 run to get to within four 72-68 with 3:09 left in the game.
Jimboy Estrada, though, had other plans as he drained a tough three to push the Knights' lead back to seven - a lead which proved to be enough buffer, with that late turnover from Orgo helping Letran's cause.
The Knights now get the chance to return to the NCAA finals for the first time since completing a three-peat back in NCAA Season 98. Game two is set on Friday, 2:30 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Manalili finished with 15 points, eight assists and six steals while Estrada matched his scoring output after going 3-of-7 from downtown. Gammad finished with 11.
"I want to give credit din kay Chad Gammad because he works on his shot. Also kay Jimboy, talagang ang sipag niyan mag-extra before and after the practice," Ricardo said.
"Yun talaga e, kailangan mo magkaron ng good execution, for us to siyempre [to complement] that defensive mentality. Siyempre mahirap din yung depensa ka ng depensa tapos hindi ka shumu-shoot."
Sleat finished with 21 points, four rebounds anfd four assists while Abis added 20 points nine rebounds and three steals.
The scores:
LETRAN 77 – Manalili 15, Estrada 15, Gammad 11, Cuajao 9, Santos 6, Buensalida 6, Omega 6, Roque 5, Tapenio 2, Montecillo 2
PERPETUAL HELP 73 – Sleat 21, Abis 20, Boral 11, Gojo Cruz 10, Tulabut 3, Alcantara 3, Duremdes 2, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1, Orgo 0, Casinilio 0, Maglupay 0
Quarters: 26-22, 50-36, 64-56, 77-73
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