San Beda University’s Aldous Torculas against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Aldous Torculas took charge when it mattered most as San Beda University reasserted its mastery of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a thrilling 74-65 overtime victory in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball.
Torculas tied the game with a three-pointer in the final five seconds of regulation before taking over in OT in what was his first-ever San Beda-Letran matchup on Monday at a jam-packed FilOil Centre in San Juan.
“Tinira ko lang yun with confidence talaga,” said Torculas, who scored 18 points, including two more triples in overtime that helped San Beda stretch its lead to 10, 72-62.
“Wino-work on ko yung mga shots na ganon, and nagkataon na kailangan ko talagang i-shoot yun,” added Torculas, who also finished with five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Dan Marcelo chipped in 10 points, while rookie Andrei Ugaddan provided a spark on both ends with eight points, 10 rebounds and two assists as the defending champions secured their fourth win in six games.
Jimboy Estrada, meanwhile, had a chance to play hero at the end of regulation but missed what could have been the game-winning basket as Letran absorbed its third straight loss to its rival dating back to the NCAA Season 101 Finals in 2025.
Estrada led the Knights with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Titing Manalili returned from a right wrist injury with 13 points, eight assists, six steals and five rebounds.
However, their efforts went for naught as Letran suffered its second straight loss after opening its campaign with three consecutive wins.
The Scores:
San Beda 74 — Torculas 18, Marcelo 10, Ugaddan 8, Reyes 7, Hawkins 7, Sarigumba 7, Bonzalida 5, Puno 4, Estacio 2, Etulle 2, Calimag 2, Efron 2, Jalbuena 0, Lina 0.
Letran 65 — Estrada 17, Manalili 13, Santos 10, Walker 8, Cargo 5, Buensalida 5, Hugo 4, Gammad 2, Reyes 1, Montecillo 0.
Quarterscores: 11-17, 34-34, 50-45, 61-61, 74-65.