INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines- Roldan Sara sank a basket in the dying seconds to lift San Beda to a heart-pounding 92-91 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran, spoiling the latter's bid for an eliminations sweep in NCAA juniors basketball at the Arena in San Juan.

The Squires were only one win shy of an 18-game sweep. Trailing at second place, San Beda, meanwhile, successfully avenged their lone defeat to Letran in the first round.

"In the end, our defense carried us in the game," Red Cubs coach Ato Badolato said in Filipino, also giving credit to Sara, who topscored with 26 points.

"Our man-to-man defense wasn't effective in the first half," he added.

The Squires controlled the first half leading 39-35 at halftime. But the Red Cubs adjusted on the defensive end in the next two quarters, while tallying 24 assists and 10 steals.

The Red Cubs improved to 16-1, still trailing Letran at 17-1.

San Beda has one remaining game versus San Sebastian. A win will give them a tie with Letran for the lead and a playoff to determine who gets the top seeding in the Final Four.

Earlier, Mapua-Malayan High School of Science walloped Angeles University Foundation, 87-46, in a no-bearing game.

Rodolfo Alejandro and Ian Valdez poured 12 points each for the Red Robins, who also tallied 21 assists, 19 fastbreaks, and 16 steals.

In its second to the last game, the Red Robins improved to a 5-12 slate while the Junior Danes remained winless after 17 games.

THE SCORES:

Mapua 87--Alejandro 12, Valdez 12, Aviso 10, Basas 10, Castillo 10, Sevilla 8, Macalino 6, De Castro 6, Mena 4, Targa 4, Reyes 3, Dela Cruz 2, Abad 0.

AUF 46--Lakandula 9, Tuazon 8, Maniti 7, Tamayo 7, Bondoc 6, Cayanan 5, Olalia 2, Gando 2, Sanchez 0, Dizon 0, Castillejos 0, Laxamana 0, Yambao 0.

Second Game
San Beda 92--Sara 26, Amer 23, Gotladera 14, Abatayo 8, Ludovice 7, Javier 6, Moralde 3, Amin 3, Dela Cruz 2, Chavez 0, Monteclaro 0.

Letran 91--Tampus 29, Khobuntin 18, Cruz 15, Ongteco 12, Inigo 11, Cabahug 3, Cudal 3, Maravilla 0, So 0, Medina 0, Roxas 0, Cabigas 0.