Jimboy Estrada was due for a game like this.
Entering the Letran Knights’ clash against the San Sebastian Golden Stags on Friday, Estrada hadn’t yet delivered a true breakout performance in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
That changed against the Golden Stags, whom Estrada kept winless thanks to a game-winner that propelled the Knights to a hard-fought 91-89 triumph.
Jimboy Estrada’s Unwavering Self-Belief
Prior to hitting the game-winner, Jimboy Estrada actually struggled, going 2-for-11 from the field against a tough, determined San Sebastian defense. Those misses didn’t dampen the 6-foot-2 guard’s confidence—not in the least.
“Unang-una, siyempre dapat hindi mawawala yung tiwala mo sa sarili mo,” Estrada told reporters after the game. “Kasi after nitong game na ito, focus na kami sa next game, so kailangan lang may confidence ako, maging confident sa akin ‘yung mga teammates ko, and magtiwala kami sa isa’t isa.”
His fellow Knights and the coaching staff certainly had confidence in him. And Estrada repaid that trust in the endgame by making the clutch jumper that gave the win to Letran. That game-winner punctuated an all-around performance for Estrada, who added 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block.
His teammates did well themselves, too, with Chad Gammad leading the way with 23 points and big man Aaron Buensalida adding 21 as he stepped up in the absence of frontcourt partner Kevin Santos, who was serving a one-game suspension for taunting.
One-Game-at-a-Time Mentality
After the Knights secured their seventh win in the tournament to retain the top spot in Group B, Jimboy Estrada emphasized that the victory was important for boosting their confidence. However, he stressed that the team remains focused on taking things one game at a time.
“Lagi naming sinasabi sa dugout na one game at a time nga. ‘Yun nga kasi parang nagsisimula naman lahat sa preparation,” he explained. “So, kailangan namin mag-prepare sa next game sa Arellano [Chiefs]. Itong game na to, tapos na ‘to eh. Kumbaga, blessing lang ‘to ni Lord. Ngayong araw, celebrate namin ‘tong small win na to.”
Jimboy Estrada and his Letran teammates will certainly have to prepare for the Chiefs, who sit just behind Letran in Group B and already have a win over the Knights. The two teams will meet again on Thursday, October 29.
