ESTRADA, SANTOS SHINE AS LETRAN DOMINATES LYCEUM TO END FIRST ROUND
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights solidified their position in the top four of the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament standings, defeating the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates 78-65 to close out their first-round campaign on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Led by a commanding performance from their guard-big man tandem, Jimboy Estrada and Kevin Santos, the Knights took control of the game early and never looked back. Estrada orchestrated the offense, while Santos imposed his will in the paint, putting on a nearly unstoppable display that left the Pirates struggling to keep up. Santos came out strong, flirting with a double-double by halftime as he racked up 13 points and nine rebounds in just two quarters. His dominance inside set the tone for the Knights, though the game remained close in the first half.
It wasn't until the third quarter that Letran truly pulled away, clamping down on defense to stifle the Pirates' offense. The Knights held Lyceum to just nine points in the third period, which allowed them to build a comfortable lead heading into the final quarter. Head coach Allen Ricardo praised his team’s defense, saying, "Nakapasok kami sa tamang rhythm sa second half. Alam naming crucial ang depensa para makontrol ang laro."
Despite Lyceum’s efforts to mount a comeback, Letran stayed poised, maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the final minutes. A late jumper from Nat Montecillo extended the Knights' lead to 15 points, 78-63, effectively sealing the win.
Estrada, the engine behind Letran's offense, finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, once again showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Santos, who completed his double-double in the second half, ended with 17 points and 11 boards.
Kobe Monje also chipped in with 11 points, providing additional firepower for the Knights.
With the victory, the Knights improved to 6-3, securing their place in the upper echelon of the standings as they look forward to the second round.
