Cubs annex record 19th NCAA jr title

MANILA, Philippines - Sweep or no sweep, San Beda closed out the NCAA season with a historic championship.

Francis Abarcar fired nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Red Cubs downed the La Salle-Greenies, 69-61, to nail a league-best 19th crown in the 87th NCAA juniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Abarcar, who was later named the Finals MVP, took charge in the fourth quarter as the Cubs fended off a series of La Salle rallies to help seal the victory and their third straight crown for a 19th overall championship.

“The feeling is great because we achieved history right now and we dedicate this to the school, everyone who supported us,” said San Beda coach Britt Reroma, who wore a red shirt with the number 19 printed upfront signifying the school’s 19th crown.

The Cubs, who previously shared the most number of championships with 18 with the Mapua Red Robins, whooped it up and celebrated their historic title run at center court as some of the Greenies wept on the sidelines after missing their chance of winning their first-ever NCAA juniors crown.

San Beda swept the double-round elims among 10 teams but was foiled by La Salle from completing a grand sweep, 85-82, at the start of the title series.

But the Cubs, who went into the playoff with an outright 1-0 lead for sweeping the elims, bounced back by snatching a 74-73 win before reasserting their might to wrap up the series, 3-1.

“It was really sweet because we ended up with the title even though it wasn’t a sweep,” said Reroma.

What made the title romp sweeter was that San Beda won the championship despite losing nine members, including Baser Amer, of last year’s champion squad to graduation.

“This is definitely the title I will remember the most since no one even expected us to make it this far because we lost our nine best players,” said Reroma.

The Cubs’ win also capped San Beda’s domination of the NCAA as the Red Lions retained the seniors crown against the San Sebastian Stags recently.

Thomas Torres tried to rally the Greenies, who reached the finals by edging No. 4 Emilio Aguinaldo and No. 2 Letran in the stepladder semis, with a game-high 25 points but failed to draw the needed support from the rest.

Big man Gelo Vito also left the game early after sustaining an ankle injury with three minutes remaining in the first quarter, enabling the Cubs to dominate the boards, 51-39.

Andre Paras also struggled in the face of the Cubs’ solid interior defense and was held scoreless the whole match.

Daryl Nazareno, who scored the marginal free throw in San Beda’s one-point win last Monday, finished with 10 points while Radge Tongco added seven markers.

The scores:

San Beda 69 – Abarcar 18, Nazareno 10, Abatayo 8, Tongco 7, Miranda 6, Patenio 5, Toleninto 4, Bonsubre 4, Babilonia 3, Munsayac 0, Macapayag 0.

La Salle Greenhills 61 – Torres 25, Bonleon 9, Villaruz 8, Yap 7, Barrera 5, Vito 2, Mercado 2, Laigo 2, Ramilo 1, Sta. Clara 0, Paras 0.

Quarterscores: 17-13; 29-26; 51-40; 69-61