Games on Friday
(PhilSports Arena)
10 a.m. – JRU vs SSC-R (Jrs)
Noon – CSB vs AU (Jrs)
3 p.m. – JRU vs SSC-R (Srs)
5 p.m. – CSB vs AU (Srs)
THE Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights had won one and lost one on Thursday.
They beat the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates, 96-86, in their NCAA Season 102 elimination round duel at the Filoil Centre but lost their unquestioned leader — Titing Manalili — late in the same game after hurting his right knee due to a bad fall.
Mr. Manalili was having a spectacular game with 23 points, 12 assists and five rebounds before an ugly midair collision with LPU’s Roger Ondoa sent him sprawling on the floor and grimacing in pain with 1.55 minutes remaining.
The runner-up from a season ago did get the win and a share of the Group B lead with Arellano University on 4-2 cards but it left it with an atmosphere of gloom and uncertainty on the possibility of the injury causing Mr. Manalili to miss more games.
It was an unfortunate streak for Mr. Manalili, who had already sat out a game after hurting a wrist early in the season.
For now, rookie transferee Denzil Walker is leaving it up to fate and would like to cherish this triumph.
“The win is good for our morale,” said the 22-year-old Mr. Walker, who chipped in 15 points including a couple of electrifying dunks.
Jimboy Estrada, Mr. Manalili’s running partner, uncorked a game-high 25 points for a Letran side that snapped out of a two-game slide.
The LPU Pirates dropped to 1-5 in Group A. — Joey Villar
The scores:
Letran 96 – Estrada 25, Manalili 23, Walker 15, Gammad 12, Montecillo 6, Cargo 6, Santos 3, Buensalida 3, Hugo 2, Muyuela 1, Reyes 0, Villanueva 0
LPU 86 – Rubico 21, Ondoa 17, Guadana 9, Penafiel 8, Villegas 7, Aurige 6, Daileg 6, Almario 4, Matienzo 4, Nocum 2, Manuel 2, Aviles 0, Fuentes 0, Pallingayan 0
Quarterscores: 22-20; 53-43; 76-55; 96-86