Cuajao hits seven 3s as Letran nips SSC
Vince Cuajao has a confidence level that his game has no problem matching.
The deadshot wingman found his rhythm from afar on Monday, torching the hoops for an NCAA season-high 34 points in a bounce-back 101-98 double overtime victory by Letran over San Sebastian College (SSC) in the Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
“Once my shots go in, I’m confident that the rest will follow because I always do this in practice,” said Cuajao in Filipino, who drilled seven three-pointers punctuated by a long three that broke San Sebastian’s back with 15.1 seconds remaining.
“I’m always ready and I get my confidence from what I’ve been doing in training,” added Cuajao after going 12 of 19 from the field.
Arellano triumphs
Maverick Vinoya, meanwhile, picked up where JL Capulong left off as Arellano University notched its first back-to-back victory of the season at the expense of Perpetual Help, 66-59, in the other match at Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Vinoya filled in for the 6-foot-6 Capulong—who was used sparingly after he rolled his ankle in practice—and powered his way to 20 points for the Chiefs, who moved in a tie with the Altas at 5-8.
“It’s difficult to match the things that JL can do for us. I just pushed myself and took on the role,” said Vinoya, who cashed in on the extra minutes Capulong’s limited floor time gave him.
Letran’s triumph erased the memory of its previous setback at the hands of the Mapua Cardinals, installing the Knights at solo fourth with a 7-6 (win-loss) record.
But they needed to put up a strong fight against the Stags, who nearly tripped the Knights before dropping their 10 game in 13 outings.
