By el Amigo
MANILA — Aldous Torculas made a memorable debut in the San Beda-Letran rivalry, coming through with the biggest shots as the defending champions escaped with a 74-65 overtime victory over the Knights Monday in NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Torculas rescued San Beda at the end of regulation, drilling a three-pointer with five seconds remaining to erase Letran’s three-point advantage and force a 61-all deadlock.
The former Letran rival then took charge in overtime.
Torculas buried two more triples as San Beda opened the extra period with an 11-1 surge. His second overtime three gave the Red Lions a 72-62 lead with 2:15 remaining, putting the game beyond Letran’s reach.
He finished with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks as San Beda stretched its winning streak against Letran to three games.
Daniel Marcelo added 10 points, while rookie Andrei Ugaddan contributed eight points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
Jimboy Estrada paced Letran with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Titing Manalili, back from a right wrist injury, had 13 points, eight assists, six steals and five rebounds.
San Beda improved to 4-2, while Letran slipped to 3-2 after losing its second straight game following a 3-0 start. The Red Lions also completed a sweep of the Knights in last season’s Finals.
Earlier, College of Saint Benilde improved to 5-1 after defeating San Sebastian, 73-66. The Stags remained winless at 0-6.
San Beda faces Perpetual Help at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, while Letran battles Lyceum at 3 p.m. at the Filoil Centre.
Benilde meets Arellano at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the PhilSports Arena, while San Sebastian takes on JRU at 3 p.m.
