INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The San Beda Red Cubs roared their way against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Squires, scoring a 98-75 rout in Game 1 of their best-of-three NCAA juniors basketball finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Baser Amer and streak shooter Dave Moralde poured 37 points to pull a lopsided game for the Red Cubs, who are a win a way from snatching their 17th juniors title.

Red Cubs coach Ato Badolato credited the win to their excellent team defense.

“We were able to limit their scorers. Moralde also recovered from a sprain and hit a lot of his shots,” said Badolato, who anchored the Red Cubs to 15 out of their 16 NCAA titles.

Aside from Moralde and Amer, Badolato also singled out Roldan Sara as one of his key players this season.

"One guard on the court is not enough (for us). His tandem with Amer became very effective," said Badolato, referring to Sara.

Badolato, however, said they still have a 50-50 chance in snatching the title this Saturday.

"It's still anybody's game. We may have won Game 1 but Letran will surely come back in Game 2, said Badolato, who is retiring after this season after starting his NCAA coaching career in 1972.

"All things must come to an end. It was my decision to retire. Hopefully, I will retire with a champion team," he said.

THE SCORES:

San Beda 98--Amer 19, Moralde 18, Dela Cruz 12, Sara 11, Gotladera 7, Ludovice 7, Chavez 6, Dela Costa 6, Amin 5, Javier 4, Abatayo 2, Monteclaro 1, Lunas 0, Nayve 0, Nazareno 0.

Letran 75--Tampus 31, Khobuntin 15, Cruz 12, Cudal 9, Ongteco 8, So 0, Inigo 0, Cabigas 0, Reyes 0, Cabahug 0, Roxas 0.