Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s fairy tale had a perfect ending.
The young Squires outlasted the Arellano University Braves in overtime, 91-88, to complete a sweep in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball finals and reclaim the title on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
It was an improbable comeback for Letran, trailing 69-73 with just 12.1 seconds left in regulation. Mico Pascual sank a jumper with 10.1 seconds remaining to cut the deficit.
After a split at the free-throw line by Aaron Manansala, Alvin Villanueva delivered a clutch corner three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Nathan Egea took over, scoring all 10 of his points during the five-minute span to secure Letran’s third juniors crown in four years and 15th overall in the division.
“One hell of a ride. A lot of challenges, adversities, and off-the-court challenges, so hard work,” said Squires head coach Andrew Estrella, who just last year steered the UE Junior Warriors to the top in the UAAP Junior High School Basketball Tournament.
“It’s all hard work, commend to them. Coming to a team with only two months’ preparation, I thought the time would be a problem. Pero latter part of the season, nakita ko na isa na kami, and that’s why we got the championship,” he added.
Justin Cargo, named Finals MVP, led the charge with 17 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and a steal, while Villanueva contributed 13 points and eight boards.
Mico Pascual and Travis Pascual (unrelated) added 12 points each.
“Recruiting them, I just said that you have a purpose kung bakit kita kinukuha dito. When we recruit kasi, hindi lang iisa lang yung dahilan bakit kita kinukuha,” said Estrella as the current batch of Squires is full of former UAAP student-athletes.
“So I just said na trust the system, and we’ll get there unti-unti. Marami kaming shortened na ginawa pero it worked.”
Letran had taken Game 1, 85-79.
Ray Ladica’s 37 points powered the Braves.
Sean Franco, the juniors’ MVP, tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Axel Mendoza chipped in 16 points.
Both the Squires and the Braves entered the semifinals as No. 2 seeds in their respective groups, with Letran finishing 7-6 in Group B and Arellano at 8-5 in Group A.
Letran needed all three games to eliminate defending champion Perpetual Junior Altas in the quarterfinals. The team dropped Game 1, 69-74, before bouncing back with a 70-65 victory in the decider.
Arellano, meanwhile, advanced by dispatching La Salle Green Hills, 86-79.
In the semifinals, both Letran and Arellano required three games to overcome the EAC-ICA Brigadiers and the Malayan Red Robins, respectively.
The Scores:
Letran 91 – Cargo 17, Villanueva 13, Pascual M 12, Pascual T 12, Egea 10, Lumague 6, Valdeavilla 6, Cabanero 6, Chua 5, Dahino 2, Macadangdang 2, Mesina 0.
Arellano 88 – Ladica 37, Franco 17, Mendoza 16, Manansala 11, Pillas 3, Baluyot 2, Vergara 2, Dy 0, Tagorda 0, Sapo 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 36-34, 49-50, 74-74, 91-88.
