Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Jimboy Estrada. Photo from NCAA Philippines.

MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran avoided elimination from the Final 4 race after it outlasted San Beda University on Sunday.

The Knights managed to remain alive in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament as they defeated the Red Lions in an intense rivalry clash, 75-71, at the San Juan Arena.

Jimboy Estrada towed Letran over the defending champions, posting 24 points, nine assists, five rebounds, a steal, and a block, and these helped the Muralla-based cagers improve to 8-9, still in a good spot to at least get a playoff for a Final Four slot.

Knights veteran Kobe Monje was perfect from the field, tallying 15 points (6/6, 3/3 3pts), while Deo Cuajao and Nat Montecillo followed with 11 and 10, respectively.

Down 71-70 after Season 99 Finals MVP James Payosing hit an and-one with only 47 seconds left in the game, Estrada hit a crucial jumper six seconds later to give the Knights a crucial one-point lead.

The rock went back to San Beda, giving the Red Lions a chance to retake the advantage, but Payosing committed a crucial turnover, and this eventually allowed Letran to secure the victory.

Estrada hit another mid-range jumper to extend their cushion to three, 74-71, while Payosing's attempt to tie the game in their next possession missed the bottom of the net.

The Red Lions then went on to foul Montecillo in hopes of extending the game, but the first-year player salvaged a split from the foul line to give his team a four-point advantage right before the buzzer sounded.

Payosing led San Beda in scoring with 16 points together with nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals, and helping him were Jomel Puno and Bismarck Lina who scored 15 and 10, respectively.

Unfortunately, these all went for naught as they fell to 10-6, dimming San Beda's chances of getting a twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs. 

THE SCORES:

Letran 75 – Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cuajao 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-As 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Miller 0, Dimaano 0.

San Beda 71 – Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Royo 0, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0.

Quarterscores: 22-23, 40-38, 57-57, 75-71.