INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 2) San Beda College finally ended its four-year title drought after an 86-75 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the deciding game of the best-of-three NCAA juniors basketball finals at the Arena in San Juan.

Arthur dela Cruz and Baser Amer combined for 44 points for the Red Cubs, who captured their 17th overall NCAA juniors title.

Dela Cruz also contributed five assists and three steals, and knocked crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes to seal the win for San Beda.

"This is our tribute to Coach Ato (Badolato). Nag-focus lang ako sa mga pinagagawa niya (I just focused on what he’s been telling us to do)," said Dela Cruz.

The Red Cubs withstood a 36-point output from Letran’s Jarelan Tampus as the Squires sorely missed the offensive output of forward Glenn Khobuntin, who got injured in the third quarter.

"I feel very proud of the boys. They really wanted to win this one for me,” said Badolato, who is retiring as San Beda head coach after almost four decades, and after winning his 15th juniors title.

The victory also eased the pain of San Beda’s defeat in the seniors’ division, where the three-time defending champion Red Lions lost their crown to San Sebastian via a two-game sweep last Saturday.

Dela Cruz, the son of ex-PBA player Art, pumped in 23 points, including a triple that lifted the Cubs, 81-72, with 2:04 left, after the Squires had pruned down the lead to two. He also pulled down 17 rebounds, dished out five assists and had four steals.

Amer, who exploded for 39 points in the Game 2 loss, did most of the damage in the first three periods to finish with 21. The 17-year-old guard from Davao City was later named MVP of the finals.

The Cubs led by as many as 20 points early in the third period after five straight points by Amer and a layup by Dela Cruz.

But the Squires, behind Jarelan Tampus, stormed back into the thick of the fight with a 12-0 blast that sliced the deficit to 48-54.

An ankle injury to leading rebounder Glenn Khobuntin midway in the third period and the disqualification of center Jeff Ongteco due to fouls doomed the Squires, who went on a 17-game winning run in the elimination-round before losing to the Cubs.

San Beda has yet to announce Badolato’s replacement, although the retiring mentor has recommended his assistant, Brit Reroma, to take his place.

A handful of Badolato’s former players, including national pool member JV Casio, attended the game in a rare reunion of ex-Cubs.

“I am happy for their show of support,” said Badolato, who considers the numerous players from San Beda who have gone on to play in the national team and in the PBA as his biggest contribution to Philippine basketball.

Tagline: With Izah Morales, INQUIRER.net

The scores:
SAN BEDA 86—Dela Cruz 23, Amer 21, Abatayo 15, Ludovice 12, Gotladera 7, Javier 4, Moralde 2, Chavez 2, Sara 0.

LETRAN 75—Tampus 36, Cruz 14, Khobuntin 10, Inigo 5, Ongteco 5, Cudal 3, Cabigas 2, So 0, Maravilla 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 47-34, 67-60, 86-75