To start the first day of the NCAA Season 101 Men’s basketball tournament, both the Mapúa University and the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán were able to win despite the twice-to-beat disadvantages on November 26 at FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Kevin Santos Hits All Cylinders for the Letrán Knights
Facing a defensive-oriented Arellano University, the high-octane offense of the Knights is going to have a field day.
The Chiefs initially looked firmly in control, entering the match with a twice-to-beat advantage and riding the confidence of having built an early double-digit lead. Behind the efforts of T-Mc Ongotan and CJ Libang, Arellano surged to a 27–16 cushion by the end of the opening quarter, capitalizing on Letran’s flat start and repeated lapses on the defensive glass.
Letran struggled to generate rhythm early, giving up numerous second-chance opportunities and failing to settle into its offensive flow.
The Knights gradually chipped away at the deficit, using their aggressiveness to earn repeated trips to the free-throw line. By halftime, they had converted 18 free throws, which was twice the total of Arellano, as it allowed them to narrow the gap entering the third period. That paid off when Letran finally turned the tide in decisive fashion during the second half.
A huge momentum swing unfolded in the third quarter, where Jimboy Estrada and Titing Manalili ignited a massive run.
Estrada kicked off an 11–0 spurt with a three-pointer, while Manalili followed with another long-range hit as the Knights flipped a 56–58 deficit into a sudden 69–58 advantage. Arellano’s situation worsened when Libang fouled out late in the period, and the Chiefs’ bench was assessed a technical foul, helping Letran hold a 75–67 lead entering the fourth.
With their confidence restored, the Knights clamped down defensively, limiting Arellano to just seven field goals in the third quarter and only 11 points in the fourth.
Kevin Santos delivered one of the game’s biggest highlights when he soared for a powerful two-handed poster dunk over Girbaud Demetria, further energizing Letran.
Moments later, Jun Roque added an uncontested slam that all but shut the door on the Chiefs’ hopes of immediately sealing a Final Four berth.
FINAL SCORE: ARELLANO CHIEFS 78 – 87 LETRAN KNIGHTS
Santos finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, earning him the Best Player of the Game award. Estrada led the Knights with 22 points, adding four rebounds and multiple assists, while Manalili nearly recorded a double-double with 15 points and nine dimes, plus a strong defensive showing. Deo Cuajao contributed valuable scoring and rebounding off the bench, while Aaron Buensalida anchored the interior with 10 boards.
For Arellano, Ongotan once again delivered an all-around effort with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Basti Valencia chipped in 11 points.
With the win, the Knights forced a sudden-death showdown on Friday at the same venue.
Cyril Gonzales Helps Mapúa to Live Another Day
With a Finals rematch of the NCAA Season 100 at hand, the defending champions Mapúa Cardinals are facing a tough task of winning 2 games against their arch-rival, the College of Saint Benilde.
The Cardinals immediately set the tone with physical interior defense that placed Benilde standouts Allen Liwag and Shawn Umali in early foul trouble. After holding a slim 14–12 lead late in the opening period, they closed the quarter with a strong 10–1 stretch capped by a Marc Cuenco three-pointer, establishing a 24–13 advantage.
Carrying their momentum into the second quarter, Mapua continued to attack confidently. Drex Delos Reyes hammered home a dunk before Ivan Lazarte knocked down a triple, pushing the gap to 15, 33–18.
The Cardinals’ defense remained firm, though Ian Torres helped the Blazers narrow the deficit to 37–29 by halftime.
Mapua’s lead grew to 15 again early in the third, 37–22, but Benilde countered with its best stretch of the game. Tony Ynot sparked a 16–5 surge with a three-pointer that trimmed the lead to just four, 42–38, with over seven minutes still left in the quarter. Despite the pressure, the Cardinals steadied themselves, regained control, and entered the final period ahead, 56–47.
Benilde opened the fourth quarter with renewed urgency as Ynot drained another triple to make it 56–51. But Mapua responded with poise, JC Recto drilled consecutive threes that pushed the gap back to double digits, 62–51, halting the Blazers’ rally. Moments later, Marc Igliane also connected from deep to restore an eight-point cushion, providing the breathing space the Cardinals needed.
From there, Mapua never allowed Benilde to regain momentum.
FINAL SCORE: CSB BLAZERS 58 – 73 MAPUA CARDINALS
Cyril Gonzales, who came off the bench, carried the finishing load. He poured in 11 of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, along with three steals, helping lock down the Blazers offensively. Recto added 11 points, built on three triples, and grabbed nine rebounds, while Cuenco and other key contributors provided the stability Mapua needed in the closing stretch.
Despite the win, Clint Escamis continued to struggle, finishing with only two points and missing all 10 of his field-goal attempts.
On the Benilde side, Torres and Umali each posted 10 points, while Ynot and Justine Sanchez chipped in eight apiece. Reigning MVP Liwag produced seven points and 11 boards but struggled to find rhythm because of early foul trouble.
With the Cardinals extending their postseason mastery over the Blazers, which is now a four-game streak, the two teams move on to a decisive battle on Friday at the same venue.
