MANILA, Philippines — The Letran Knights were bald and bold.
With the duel tied at 58 approaching the final four minutes, Letran went on a 12-4 rampage to snare a 70-62 victory over Jose Rizal University yesterday, its first in two starts in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Jimboy Estrada and Vince Cuajao conspired in that decisive run as the all-bald Knights improved to 1-1 and eased the stigma of their painful 91-84 defeat at the hands of the San Sebastian Stags Sunday.
It was also the first win for Allen Ricardo, the back-to-back title-winning coach of the Squires in NCAA juniors who took over the coaching reins for the seniors’ squad from Rensy Bajar this year.
And it was because of this cold-blooded duo named Estrada and Cuajao.
Estrada finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a steal and block while Cuajao saved the best for last by piercing in two long bombs after missing his first seven.
In the other game, University of Perpetual Help survived a late Arellano U flurry and held on to a 69-67 win to grab a piece of the lead with an immaculate 2-0 slate.