By: Miguel Marco
Nathan Egea and Daryl Valdeavilla powered Colegio de San Juan de Letran to a Game 1 victory over Arellano University, 85-79, to close in on the NCAA Season 101 Junior Basketball championship on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
What seemed like a comfortable 12-point halftime lead for the Squires quickly vanished as the Braves’ third-quarter surge flipped the game, giving Arellano a lead of up to five points.
Egea finished with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Valdeavilla also contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Both Egea and Valdeavilla came from the UPIS program.
“Basketball is a game of runs, and we expected na ganoon ang mapapakita ng Arellano. It just so happened, of course, may mga lapses every game. So hindi naman laging perfect,” said Squires head coach Andrew Estrella.
“But the good thing is, nag-time out na ako, nag-huddle at nagpasok ng mga bench. Na-sustain lang namin and composure was improved sa scenario na iyon.”
Down by 12 at halftime, the Braves came alive in the third quarter with a 17-0 run led by Sean Franco, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, taking a 55-50 advantage midway through the period.
Both teams continued to trade baskets, but Arellano carried a 63-60 edge into the final quarter.
The Squires regained a 78-76 lead before Egea drilled a clutch three-pointer with 1:47 remaining, giving Letran a two-possession cushion, 81-76.
Franco’s free throws kept Arellano within striking distance in the final minute, and the Braves even forced a crucial defensive stop.
However, Chris Dy misfired on a potential game-tying triple. That miss proved costly, as the ensuing free throws by Egea and Justin Cargo sealed the win for Letran in Game 1.
Franco finished with a huge double-double for Arellano, posting 19 points and 17 rebounds along with three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Ray Ladica led the Braves with 22 points and five rebounds, while Aaron Manansala added 13 points.
Game 2 of the Junior Basketball Finals is set for Saturday at 11:00 AM at the same venue.
Earlier, Malayan High School claimed the bronze medal with an 84-74 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College–Immaculate Conception Academy.
This marked the Red Robins’ first return to the podium since NCAA Season 94 (2018), when they won the title against the San Beda Red Cubs.
Froilan Reyes led Malayan with 18 points and four rebounds, while Jhillian Palis and Ray Relojo added 13 and 11 points, respectively, in the bronze-medal victory.
The Scores:
Letran 85 – Egea 19, Valdeavilla 19, Cargo 12, Chua 8, Villanueva 7, Lumague 6, T. Pascual 6, Macadangdang 4, Dahino 4, Gabinete 0, Mesina 0, M. Pascual 0
Arellano 79 – Ladica 22, Franco 19, Manansala 13, Dy 10, Mendoza 7, Pillas 6, Baluyot 2, Vergara 0, Sapo 0, Aurita 0, Tagorda 0
Quarterscores – 22-19, 50-38, 60-63, 85-79
