Letran edges San Sebastian, keeps Stags winless in NCAA

MANILA, Philippines — Colegio de San Juan de Letran denied San Sebastian College-Recoletos a chance to crack into the win column, escaping with a 91-89 victory in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Friday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The Knights improved to 7-3 and remained atop Group B, while the Golden Stags dropped to 0-10. Unlike their first-round meeting, which Letran dominated 99-62, the Knights were forced to work much harder in the rematch. With Letran leading 86-83 and 1:04 remaining in the game, Vincent Segovia drained a fadeaway jumper and Christian Ricio followed with a layup to give San Sebastian an 87-86 edge. Aaron Buensalida immediately answered with a layup of his own with 38 seconds remaining, and Nathaniel Montecillo converted both free throws to put Letran back in front, 89-87. Niel Castro then tied the game at 89-all with a jumper with seven seconds left. But Letran head coach Allen Ricardo drew up a final play for Jimboy Estrada, who knocked down a jumper with two seconds remaining to seal the 91-89 win. “Of course, during the dying seconds of the game, you go to your go-to guy. I trusted Jimboy and he delivered,” Ricardo said. “We...