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The Letran Knights’ Deo Cuajao. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.

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Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);min-height:13.8px"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1726997782250IMG_5075.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Letran Knights’ Deo Cuajao. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol."/>The Letran Knights’ Deo Cuajao. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — Colegio de San Juan de Letran displayed its toughness against College of St. Benilde and stormed back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter.The Knights erased a 14-point Blazers lead en route to a 71-69 victory during their NCAA Season 100 men&#x27;s basketball showdown on Sunday at the San Juan Arena, with Deo Cuajao and Kevin Santos taking charge for the Intramuros-based team down the stretch.Cuajao fired 20 points together with two assists, a rebound, and a steal in almost 38 minutes of action, while Jimboy Estrada had 17 markers, five boards, three dimes, two steals, and a block for CSJL.Also standing out was Pao Javillonar who had 13 markers, while Santos scored his only basket at the most crucial part of the game together with four boards, two blocks, and a steal. &quot;Yung mga bata, pinakita lang nila yung [tapang] nila. Yun naman din yung in-emphasize ko, yung courage. Kailangan matatag kami at walang susuko, at nakita ko naman sa kanila yun,&quot; said Knights head coach Allen Ricardo after the game. <div></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);min-height:13.8px"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1726997836868IMG_5076.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Letran Knights’ Kevin Santos. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol."/>The Letran Knights’ Kevin Santos. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol</div>Down 60-46 in the final canto after the Taft cagers charged on a 14-to-nothing run, Cuajao and Estrada helped Letran storm back after the former drained three triples while the latter made a basket to get as close as five, 65-60, with still 4:45 left in the gameThe 6-foot-1 sniper also went three-of-three from the foul line to get to within two, 65-63, while it was Estrada who answered a Mark Sangco trey as he converted a mid-range jumper and a lay-in at the 1:42 mark to get as close as one, 68-67, before the former St. Clare College standout fouled out.Justin Sanchez went 1-of-2 in CSB&#x27;s next possession to push their lead to two, 69-67, but that happened to be Benilde&#x27;s last make as Joseph Nunag tied the game with a minute and two remaining off a miss by Cuajao, while Santos made his lone basket to finally take the lead, 71-69, at the 14-second mark. Ricardo commended Santos&#x27; toughness down the stretch and hailed the 6-foot-6 lanky big man for making the most of the limited minutes that he has been receiving to start the season. &quot;Ang laking kumpiyansa nito sa mga bata, especially si Kevin Santos. Sa totoo lang, to start the season eh he&#x27;s a little bit shaky. Nandun pa kami sa process na kung paano ko siya gagamitin, kasi as a coach importante sakin yung attitude at body language,&quot; he said. A member of the Knights&#x27; last title run, Santos was expected to serve as one of Letran&#x27;s pillars in Season 100. However, the Kapampangan has been struggling to deal with the limited time that he has been given.&quot;Yung body language namin, inayos lang namin. Napansin ni coach na pag natatalo kami nung earlier games, laging down na down kami,&quot; he said. Fortunately for Santos, Ricardo trusted the veteran especially when Javillonar was hit with foul trouble in the end game.&quot;Tiwala na lang yun sa bata kahit na may mga ganung instances. Tingin kong itong big win na ito, especially for Kevin, it&#x27;s a big boost na mas talagang tatrabahuhin pa niya,&quot; he said.Letran improved to 3-2 following this game, and the Muralla boys also handed CSB -- which was led by Tony Ynot&#x27;s 15 markers and Allen Liwag&#x27;s 15-point, 12-rebound game -- its first loss of the year to put them at 4-1. <div>The Scores:</div>Letran 71 - Cuajao 20, Estrada 17, Javillonar 13, Montecillo 8, Monje 8, Santos 2, Nunag 2, Galoy 1, Delfino 0, Dimaano 0, Baliling 0, Miller 0, Jumao-As 0, Pradella 0.St. Benilde 69 - Ynot 15, Liwag 12, Sangco 11, Torres 7, Cajucom 6, Sanchez 5, Eusebio 5, Ancheta 4, Cometa 2, Oli 2, Morales 0, Turco 0.Quarterscores: 20-14, 35-41, 46-55, 71-69.<div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3069349"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

Colegio de San Juan de Letran displayed a tough stance against College of St. Benilde and stormed back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran displayed a tough stance against College of St. Benilde and stormed back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth.

Cuajao, Santos take charge as Letran hands Benilde its first loss of NCAA 100

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Cuajao, Santos take charge as Letran hands Benilde its first loss of NCAA 100

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 22, 2024 05:44 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 23, 2024 12:14 AM PHT

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Basketball

ABSSports

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NCAA

NCAA Basketball

NCAA Season 100

Letran

Benilde

Deo Cuajao

Kevin Santos

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