Despite missing their graduating ace guard Guillian Quines and head coach Renren Ritualo, La Salle Green Hills pulled off a gritty comeback to stay alive in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Final Four.
The Greenies leaned on the heroics of their unheralded bench to shock defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 78-76, in overtime on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, forcing a knockout match for a spot in the finals.
The winner of the do-or-die clash on Wednesday will go on to face the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, which earlier ousted San Beda, 96-87, to clinch the first finals berth.
Quines and Ritualo were serving one-game suspensions after being ejected in LSGH’s elimination round finale against EAC-ICA.
In their absence, deputies Jun Villarin and King Importante took over coaching duties.
It took a full team effort to fill the void left by their top scorer and tactician.
Arle Podador stepped up big time with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five steals, while Gian Gomez was equally impressive with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Migz Osis added 11 points, while Brandon Yutuc and James Ison chipped in eight apiece. Ram Sharma made his presence felt with 15 rebounds along with six points.
The Greenies trailed for most of the contest and had to rely on clutch free throws from Ison in the dying seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, baskets were tough to come by, but Gomez hit the go-ahead jumper with 55 seconds left before Podador calmly sank two pressure-packed free throws to seal the upset win.
(C) Dennis Abrina/Perpetual
Meanwhile, the Junior Altas of Perpetual Help advanced to their second consecutive finals appearance.
Louie Rosales led the charge with 19 points, including three triples. Jan Roluna, Jan Pagulayan, and TJ Tabbuan backed him up with 15, 13, and 10 points, respectively.
MVP candidate Lebron Jhames Daep nearly recorded a double-double with nine points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.
Despite a valiant effort, Letran fell short despite Daniel Padilla exploding for 30 points for the Squires.
In the earlier game, Francis Dollente paced San Beda with 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals, while graduating forward MJ Vailoces capped his juniors career with 11 points.
The Scores:
First Game:
UPHSD 96 – Rosales 19, Roluna 15, Pagulayan 13, Tabbuan 10, Daep 9, Callangan 8, Baldoria 7, Cristino 4, Borja 4, Corpuz 3, Nitura 3, Zanoria 1, Velasquez 0, Dela Cruz 0.
SBU 87 – Dollente 15, Medroso 14, Batongbakal 13, Ugaddan 12, Vailoces 11, Winters 7, Wagan 6, San Juan 4, Reroma 3, Tauber 2, Garcia 0, Mondigo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-24, 51-40, 80-65, 96-87.
Second Game:
LSGH 78 – Podador 19, Gomez 18, Osis 11, Yutuc 8, Ison 8, Sharma 6, Abad 4, Ortega 3, Hachuela 1, Hizon 0, Gonzales 0.
CSJL 74 – Padilla 30, Silorio 10, Cargo 9, Dela Rama 8, Valdeavilla 7, Hugo 4, Alforque 2, Villanueva 2, Lumague 2, Cruz 0, Quijada 0, Qiunones 0, Pico 0, Danan 0.
Quarterscores: 16-24, 37-38, 58-62, 71-71, 78-74.
