San Beda Red Cubs are champions once again. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The seven-peat is complete.
San Beda copped the NCAA Season 91 juniors basketball title, beating Arellano, 70-61, in game 3 of the finals Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Recovering from a Game 2 defeat—their first loss in 20 games—the Red Cubs finally put away the Braves for good to extend their reign in the high school division.
“Fulfilling kasi pinaghirapan talaga namin ito. I’m very proud sa mga boys kasi they gave it all,” said San Beda coach JB Sison, who got his third title as the lead mentor for the Red Cubs.
Germy Mahinay stepped up for San Beda with 25 points, eight in the payoff period, to go with 11 rebounds.
Finals MVP Evan Nelle did it all in the series-clincher, finishing with 13 markers, eight boards, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Eduardo Velasquez had 12.
“Di naman namin binibilang (yung championships). Kung ano yung challenge na binibigay, yun ang sinusubukan namin i-overcome,” said Sison.
Arellano could not replicate the feat it did two days prior, where the Braves tarnished a perfect season for San Beda.
Guilmer dela Torre paced the Braves with 15 points and five rebounds while Lars Sunga got 13 markers and six boards.
Carlo Abadeza was stifled in Game 3 and only tallied nine points but had 23 rebounds.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 70 – Mahinay 15, Nelle 13, Velasquez 12, Etrata 8, Bordeus 8, Abuhijle 6, Tagala 4, Nayve 2, Dela Rosa 2, Barbero 0.
ARELLANO 61 – Dela Torre 15, Sunga 13, Tamayo 12, Abadeza 9, Fornis 5, Dañas 3, Espiritu 2, Bataller 2, Velasco 0, Calapine 0.
Quarters: 14-17, 30-32, 52-49, 70-61.