AN undermanned San Beda Red Cubs held their ground in the third quarter and outplayed the Arellano University Braves, 70-61, yesterday to clinch a record-setting seventh straight junior title in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Finals MVP Evan Nelle tallied 13 points and drained three of five triples in the final four minutes to help the Red Cubs move away and pull off their second consecutive triumph in their finals’ series with the Braves.
San Beda is now the winningest high school team with 22 championships.
The 17-year-old Nelle connected with his treys during an 11-2 blast, and the Red Cubs went on to take charge, 48-35, in the last 2:38.
“Hindi namin binibilang iyung titles. Iyung challenges at present binilang namin,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison, adding that it’s a big fulfillment for him to be involved in the team’s latest title conquest. Peter Atencio
Germy Mahinay led with 15 points for the Red Cubs, who badly missed injured veterans Pedro Alfaro (sprained ankled) and JM Lagumen (hamstring), both sustained in Game 2.
Nelle’s triple and Mahinay’s layup with 3:42 left gave the Red Cubs a 65-54 edge in the last period.
Guilmer de la Torre powered the Braves with 15 points, while Lars Sunga and Nino Tamayo added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Retired coach Edmundo Badolato, before he quit, steered the Red Cubs to their first crown in 2009, before Britt Reroma added three from 2010 to 2012. Peter Atencio
