Mapua dethrones La Salle Greenhills for 22nd NCAA juniors title

Mapua scraped past De La Salle-Greenhills, 77-74, to capture the NCAA Season 94 juniors’ basketball championship Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Red Robins claimed their 22nd title, tying San Beda as the winningest schools in the NCAA high school division.

Paolo Hernandez took the best time to notch a career-high 33 points, 21 coming from beyond the arc, while Dan Arches put up 22 points including the Red Robins’ six fourth quarter points.

“They really stepped up on this game,” said Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara of Hernandez and Arches.

The Greenies’ Joshua David almost sent the game to overtime but game officials ruled that his three-pointer was released after the time ran out.

Alcantara also announced that this was his final game as the head coach of the Red Robins as he will now replace the beleaguered Atoy Co at the bench of the Cardinals.

“It was memorable because this will be my last game as high school coach,” said Alcantara who has two titles in four finals appearances with the Red Robins.

League MVP Joel Cagulangan was a non-factor in this game after he hurt his ankle early in the game and eventually finishing with 10 points.