LETRAN set in motion its three-peat bid with a toigh 101-97 overtime win over Jose Rizal University in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Unlike in the pandemic-shortened season where they went 11-0 to annex a second straight title, the Knights are bracing for a roller-coaster ride in the double-round eliminations as proved with their scrambling performance against the Bombers.

“Personally, ang objective ko is to win as many games as possible. Alam namin na ang goal namin is to reach the semis. With the half of the team composed of rookie players, definitely it will have a lot of struggles and challenges,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan.

“Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit kami sa mga analysts naka-rank sa Final Four, nag-based siguro sa mga naiwan. Sabi ko sa mga veterans, kayo tinitignan ng mga tao. Doon sila nag-based so sana huwag silang i-turn down o mapahiya sa pagra-rank nila na kayo ang contender,” he added.

Kurt Reyson fired a career-high 31 points, including a key three-pointer in the final five seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime.

Tan praised the 5-foot-9 Reyson, who scattered 10 points bridging the fourth quarter and overtime, especially with the maturity in his game.

“It’s for the JRU’s game na talaga e no? Pero na-shoot natin sa last shot ni Kurt Reyson, he played a good game, 9 out of 14 (field goal shooting). Hindi na puwersado yung mga tira. Free throws niya 7 out of 7. Wala akong masabi sa mga bata. For me, it is time for him to step up. Dati nao-overshadow siya ng ibang veterans,” said Tan.

Rookie Kobe Monje also played big for the Knights, pulling down a crucial rebound after a William Sy missed second free throw and converted a lay-up with 28.1 seconds left that gave the defending two-time champions the lead.

Fran Yu, retaking the role as Letran’s leader following the departure of last season’s Rookie-MVP Rhenz Abando, calmly nailed three out of four free throws in the final 13.5 seconds to seal the deal in the thriller where no team led by more than eight points.

“It’s all about heart and suwerte,” said Tan.

“I’m happy for the win. Going into the game, talagang blindfolded kami. Hindi pa namin alam kung paano pa manalo. Hindi ko alam kung sino pa ang first five namin. We were just blessed na na-pull through namin ito,” he added.

Later, Lyceum of the Philippines University upended last season’s runner-up Mapua, 76-67, to tie its victims, San Beda and Arellano University at 1-1.

King Caralipio had a double-double outing of 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with three steals and three assists, Brent Paraiso added 13 points and four steals while Yu chimed in 12 points, six boards, five assists and three steals for the Knights.

John Amores led the Bombers with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists while Agem Miranda chipped in 18 points, six assists and five boards.

JRU, which has lost its last eight meetings with Letran since 2017, fell to 0-2 alongside idle Emilio Aguinaldo College at the bottom of the standings.

Monje and Amores went hot under the color at the end of the bruising, emotional game.

After getting shoved by Amores on the rebound play, Monjie threw the ball at the Bombers forward. The Knights players swarmed Amores when cooler heads prevailed before things turn to worse.

John Barba led the Pirates with 16 points while Mclaude Guadaña added 13 points, three steals and three assists.

“I’m so happy that we bounced back in our second game (of the season),” said coach Gilbert Malabanan, as the Pirates limited the Cardinals to 29.2 percent shooting from the field. “Marami pa kaming dadaanan na ups and downs but what is important is we will stick together.”

Paolo Hernandez had 16 points, Warren Bonifacio posted a double-double outing of 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Toby Agustin also scored 12 points for Mapua.

The scores:

First game

Letran (101) — Reyson 31, Caralipio 14, Paraiso 13, Yu 12, Sangalang 9, Monje 9, Santos 6, Olivario 3, Go 2, Miclat 2, Ariar 0, Guarino 0.
JRU (97) — Amores 19, Miranda 18, Celis 14, Dela Rosa 14, Guiab 10, Dionisio 7, Arenal 7, Medina 5, Sy 3, Delos Santos 0, Abaoag 0.
Quarterscores: 19-27, 49-41, 74-71, 89-89, 101-97

Second game

LPU (76) — Barba 16, Guadaña 13, Valdez 9, Navarro 8, Bravo 7, Peñafiel 6, Larupay 6, Montaño 5, Cunanan 3, Umali 3, Vinoya 0, Aviles 0.
Mapua (67) — Hernandez 16, Agustin 12, Bonifacio 12, Lacap 7, A. Gamboa 7, Pido 4, Cuenco 3, Mercado 2, Garcia 2, Salenga 1, Parinas 1, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19, 39-33, 59-49, 76-67.