San Beda Red Cubs score 20th title after sweep of San Sebastian

San Beda Red Cubs head coach Britt Reroma steers his squad to another title in the NCAA Juniors.

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda solidified its place as the top highschool squad, claiming its 20th overall title after sweeping San Sebastian in the 88th NCAA juniors’ basketball finals Saturday.

The Red Cubs just reasserted their mastery over the Staglets in game two, 83-58, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to complete a four-year title run in the NCAA.

“We worked hard from day one, even though we had 12 rookies,” said head coach Britt Reroma, who steered the squad to the three of the last four banners.

“It’s a good feeling to make history again for San Beda,” Reroma added.

Javee Mocon, the Red Cubs’ prized forward, went home with the finals MVP plum for his stellar performance the entire series.

San Beda hit gold when Mocon, who churned out a double-double performance again, walked into its Taytay, Rizal campus to try out for the squad.

“He’s our gamechanger, our secret weapon,” said Reroma of Mocon, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds Saturday.

Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Caracut, PH youth squad stalwarts, chipped in 13 points apiece to carry San Beda, which won 69-51 in game one, offensively anew.

From just a slim gap in the first half, San Beda turned it into a rout by pouncing on San Sebastian’s 19 miscues and turning it into 24 points.

But the Red Cubs weren’t so good with the ball either, turning the ball over three times more than the Staglets but still erecting a lead as big as 25.

“I think the factor is our defense, it has always been the key since day one,” said Reroma. “Also our experience carried us.”

Ryan Costelo and Carlos Escalambre led the Staglets, who failed to make it a toe-to-toe match in both occasions, with 10 points each.

San Sebastian’s woes started with its horrible rebounding, managing to pull down just half of San Beda’s total of 56 boards.