San Beda nips Lyceum to move closer to NCAA juniors title

MANILA, Philippines–Justin Sanchez and Rhayyan Amsali wound up with double-double figures as the San Beda Red Cubs downed the Lyceum Junior Pirates, 94-80, and moved within a victory of clinching the juniors title of the NCAA Season 95 basketball tournament.

Yukien Andrada and Jay Ynot likewise sparkled along with King Alcantara for the Red Cubs, who are seeking redemption after missing the crown the past three seasons.

“It’s a great feeling to win Game 1, but the series is far from over,’’ said San Beda coach Manu Inigo, son of former Inquirer sports editor Manolo Inigo.

Sanchez had 16 points and 14 rebounds while Amsali added 14 points and 14 boards. Ynot, playing his final year for the Red Cubs along with Sanchez and Amsali, finished with 16 points while Andrada contributed 14.

The Red Cubs, looking for their 24th NCAA juniors crown overall, demolished their rivals in the paint with 64 rebounds, 32 of them on the offensive glass, the same total of rebounds for the Junior Pirates.

John Barba, the tournament’s MVP, had 21 points for the Junior Pirates while Gyle Montano added 18.

SAN BEDA 94—Ynot 16, Sanchez 16, Amsali 14, Andrada 14, Alcantara 12, Delfino 8, Oftana 6, Valencia 3, Pelipel 3, Cabanero 2, Alao 0, Llarena 0, Pascual 0, Nicdao 0.

LYCEUM 80—Barba 21, Montano 18, Omandac 11, Gamlanga 10, Garro 9, Guadania 6, Garing 5, Panganiban 0, Caduyac 0, Ragasa 0, Santos 0, Dejelo 0, Dumon 0, Gudmalin 0.

Quarters: 25-14, 47-41, 67-58, 94-80