LETRAN CLIMBS TO SECOND IN GROUP B AFTER ROUT OF ARELLANO
By Miguel Caramoan
Mark Omega and Kevin Santos spearheaded Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s surge in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament, as the Knights overpowered Arellano University, 83-65, on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The victory gave Letran sole possession of second place in Group B, overtaking College of Saint Benilde.
Omega, a former Letran Squire from Seasons 93 to 95, delivered his career-best performance with the Knights, posting a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds while shooting an efficient 6-of-7 from the field. Santos added 19 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, converting 72.7% of his attempts.
“I want to thank Coach Myk Saguiguit, talagang nung nag-struggle si Mark [Omega] tinawagan ko yan. And I appreciate Coach Myk and tinulungan namin si Mark para ma-redeem yung sarili niya para makatulong siya sa team. I’m happy for Mark na unti-unti yung bigs namin nagcocontribute na,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo, referring to his call to former the Perpetual Altas coach for assistance in helping Omega regain his rhythm.
Jonathan Manalili continued his impressive playmaking, recording his fifth consecutive game with double-digit assists, finishing with 13 dimes, eight points, and five rebounds. Jimboy Estrada also contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
“Just love. Syempre yung transition ko here, medyo mabilis eh. So nandun pa rin ako sa sitwasyon na I’m just trying to adjust from high school to college. But now, the most important thing is alam mo rin yung kakayanan nila and you have to respect that. So ibinabalik naman sa akin yon, so mahalin mo yung mga players mo dahil definitely ibabalik din nila yan,” Ricardo added, reflecting on his management of Letran’s current roster.
Manalili set the tone early, assisting on all six of Letran’s first-quarter field goals. Arellano’s Basti Valencia and Yuan Camay combined for nine points, keeping the Knights’ lead at 17-13 after the opening period.
The second and third quarters belonged to Santos, who scored eight points in the second, while Manalili’s precise passes set up consecutive highlight dunks by Deo Cuajao, extending Letran’s advantage to 55-39 at the 6:25 mark of the third. Arellano responded with a 9-0 run sparked by Ernest Geronimo’s drive, later cutting the deficit to 64-58 after Anjord Cabotaje’s three-pointer in the fourth. Omega then took over, scoring seven points down the stretch to secure the win.
After a 0-3 start, Letran has become the league’s hottest team, riding a five-game winning streak to climb to 5-3 in Group B. The Knights now aim to complete a five-game sweep of their crossover play against San Sebastian on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
