San Beda beats LSGH; Letran deals Mapua first loss in NCAA juniors

Published February 23, 2024 1:29pm

Updated February 23, 2024 1:29pm

San Beda University defeated La Salle Green Hills, 64-62, on Friday in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Red Cubs relied on a strong third quarter performance as they outscored the Greenies, 22-7, to end the said frame with a 48-43 advantage after trailing 26-36 at the end of the first half.

San Beda continued to pound before the game was tied at 59 after a layup by Guillian Quines. Free throws by Quines from a foul by Juris San Juan gave LSGH the advantage before Drei Lorenzo completed a three-point play to hand the Red Cubs a 62-61 lead.

Things became heated between MJ Vailoces and Ranz Muyuela in the final moments of the game as both players were given flagrant fouls, with a personal foul called on Ram Sharma which brought Vailoces to the line. Vailoces shot two freebies to bring San Beda to 64.

Arie Podador missed his attempt for LSGH, while Xavier Natividad attempted another from beyond the arc in an attempt to bring the game to extra period. Vailoces fouled, but Natividad only made one of three free throws.

“Crazy ‘yung last few possessions nung fourth quarter. We knew we will be able to come back, we just have to find it,” Red Cubs head coach Miko Roldan told GMA News Online.

Lorenzo had 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a block, while Vailoces had 13 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals for the Red Cubs. The win spoiled Quines’ 23-point outing, while Podador had 14 points for the Greenies.

San Beda is now at 3-2 while LSGH dropped to 1-4.

Earlier, Colegio de San Juan de Letran dealt Mapua University its first loss in the tournament, 86-69.

George Diamante posted a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds along with five assists, a steal and a block to lead as the Squires improved to 4-1. Jonathan Manalili added 14 points, Syrex Silorio had 13 points, while Jovel Baliling and Alex Gazzingan had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Lawrence Mangubat tallied 18 markers, while Aki Valina had 15 points for the Red Robins which went down to 4-1.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News