INQUIRER Sports

GAME THURSDAY (FilOil Flying V Arena)
2 p.m.—Letran vs San Beda

SAN BEDA hopes to give multi-titled coach Ato Badolato a fitting send off when the Cubs face the Letran Squires in the winner-take-all clash Thursday for the NCAA juniors’ basketball crown at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Badolato, who took over the coaching chores 37 seasons ago, will be retiring as San Beda mentor after the game to concentrate on his duties as athletic director of the school.

Foiled in Game 2, the Cubs will be gunning for a 15th crown under Badolato and 17th overall. San Beda last won the juniors crown four years ago.

Behind its sleek running game, San Beda took Game 1 with a convincing 98-75 victory.

Unable to sustain a strong start, the Cubs slumped to an 83-80 defeat in Game 2. Archie Inigo’s triple with five seconds remaining turned out to be the game-winning basket.

The Cubs lost despite a spectacular 39-point effort from rookie guard Baser Amer in Game 2. Amer, who poured 19 points and 10 assists in Game 1, will once again lead the Cubs, along with backcourt partner Roldan Sara.

The Cubs are also pinning their hopes on center Dave Moralde, who was held scoreless in Game 2 after scoring 18 in the series opener.

Jarelan Tampus and Glenn Khobuntin hope to make their mark in their final NCAA high school game for the Squires.

Cedelf P. Tupas