INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Eager to quench its three-year title drought, San Beda College is ready to duel against Season 84?s first runner-up Colegio de San de Letran in the best-of-three series of the NCAA juniors basketball finals starting Thursday at the at the Araneta Coliseum.

In their first meeting last July 24, the Squires ripped the Red Cubs in a 99-84 win heading into its 17 game winning streak. San Beda avenged the loss when it spoiled the Squires? bid for a sweep in a 92-91 game during their second meeting on October 2.

The Red Cubs toppled the Squires in their playoff game 91-77 last October 14 to claim the number one spot in the Final Four.

?It?s a good thing that we don?t have star players as I can rely on all of my players to step-up,? said Red Cubs coach Ato Badolato, who is retiring as the team?s coach after bringing 15 championship titles since he began in the NCAA four decades ago.

The Red Cubs are also bannered by Baser Amer, who copped the Rookie of the Year award while Squires? scoring ace Jarelan Tampus fell short for the Most Valuable Player award, losing to Jose Rizal U?s Louie Vigil.

For Badolato, consistency is the key for his players to win the juniors crown. But for Squires coach Elmer Latonio, a strong defense would win his team the title this year after being swept by San Sebastian College in the finals last season.

"We have to put more effort on our defense because that's what we lack," admitted Latonio, adding he always reminds his team to play with their heart.