Arellano spoils San Beda’s sweep bid, extends NCAA Juniors finals

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There goes San Beda’s perfect season.

With its back against the wall, Arellano dealt the Red Lions their first defeat this year, scoring a 72-68 Game 2 victory on Tuesday to extend the NCAA Season 91 juniors Finals at Mall of Asia Arena.

Carlo Abadeza and Guilmer dela Torre led the Braves in the monumental victory, which also snapped San Beda’s 19-game losing streak en route to the Finals.

Abadeza tallied a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Dela Torre had 15 markers and five boards.

They continue their titular showdown on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena with Arellano needing to win two more games to snatch the crown with San Beda only needing one.

“Ang hirap talunin ng ilang taon na nagcha-champion. Kung mag-stick kami sa depensa, may posibilidad na talunin namin sila,” said Braves coach Tyrone Darjuan.

(It’s so hard to beat a team that has been champions for a lot of years, if we stick with our defense, there’s a chance that we could beat them.)

Samuel Abuhijle paced the Red Cubs with 16 points and 13 boards, as Evan Nelle chimed in 15 markers. Alberto Bordeus got 13 in the defeat.

The Scores:

ARELLANO 72 – Abadeza 16, Dela Torre 15, Bataller 9, Sunga 7, Calapine 7, Velasco 5, Tamayo 5, Dañas 4, Espiritu 2, Fornis 2.
SAN BEDA 68 – Abu Hijle 16, Nelle 15, Bordeus 13, Velasquez 6, Nayve 4, Mahinay 4, Tagala 3, Lagumen 3, Etrata 2, Alfaro 2, Dela Rosa 0.

Quarters: 25-13, 41-35, 57-49, 72-68.