Squires end 22-year title drought

MANILA, Philippines — Letran ended a 22-year NCAA juniors basketball championship drought with a 77-61 romp versus CSB-La Salle Green Hills at the packed San Andres Sports Complex yesterday.

Reserves Jovel Baliling and Jonathan Manalili stepped up big time even as Finals MVP Andy Gemao was at his usual best to lead the Squires to claiming the elusive crown.

 It was Letran’s first high school championship since the 2001 title run of the Jay-R Reyes-led team and the first double title for the Muralla-based school since 1983.

The Knights earlier completed a three-peat in the men’s division.

Baliling collected 19 points, four rebounds and two assists, Manalili came through with 16 points, eight boards, seven assists and two blocks, while Gemao logged 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The 16-year-old Gemao averaged 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the series.

Luis Pablo, named the season MVP during the awards ceremonies before Game 2, led the Greenies with 20 points and 14 rebounds while his frontcourt partner Seven Gagate also had a double-double outing with 11 points and 18 boards to go along with three blocks.

Rod Alian and CJ Mesias were the other LSGH players in twin digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Joining Pablo in the Mythical Team were his teammate Gagate, Gemao, Matthew Rubico of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Amiel Acido of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Chris Hubilla of San Beda.

Rubico was named the Rookie of the Year in his one-and-done stint with the Junior Pirates while Gagate claimed the Most Improved Player plum.

The Defensive Player of the Year award was shared by PE Enal of Jose Rizal University and George Diamante of Letran.

 Completing the All-Defensive Team were Pablo, Gagate,  Acido, Diamante and Ivan Panapanaan of Arellano University.

 The Red Cubs won the Sportsmanship Award.