Leo Najorda and Gabby Espinas shone brightest as NCAA 1 walloped UAAP 1, 76-64, then Boyet Bautista made a dazzling show as NCAA 2 whipped UAAP 2, 88-81, in a big comeback by NCAA stars after being swept by their UAAP rivals in the same event last year.
"I challenged them that we have two past MVPs of the NCAA. Basically, I told the team to show pride in this game," said NCAA 1 coach Junel Baculi.
Najorda and Espinas, both former NCAA MVP winners, did show pride and their teammates took the cue from them. Najorda exploded with 19 points while Espinas plucked 15 rebounds, opening the door for a possible sweep of the NCAA in this charity games.
The high-leaping Najorda edged out Espinas for the best player plum.
"Najorda has really matured a lot, hinog na siya for the PBA," said Baculi of the San Sebastian standout, who incidentally is joining the PBA Rookie Draft exercise at the Sta. Lucia East Mall in Cainta this afternoon.
Earlier, the NCAA also dominated the 2-3 ball, three-point shootout and the slam dunk competitions attended by Bantay Bata 163 project director Tina Monzon-Palma.
San Beda’s JB Sison, a member of Koy Banal’s coaching staff in San Beda, and Jay-R Tecson ruled the 2-3 ball by tallying 79 points. They bested La Salle’s Tyrone Bautista and Cholo Villanueva (61) and Mapua’s Addy Papa and Tristan Veranga (55).
Alex Angeles also of San Beda ruled the three-point shootout by draining 21 triples, beating Adamson’s Patrick Cabahug (15) and PCU’s Mon Retaga (11). Mapua’s Rey Guavarra made it an NCAA sweep of the side events by crowning himself collegiate basketball’s sultan of slams.