After watching his teammates step up in his absence during Game 1, Guillian Quines made sure to return the favor.
Back from suspension, Quines delivered the game-winning layup to lift La Salle Green Hills past two-time defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 78-77, and into the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Finals on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Down 77-76 with just 6.5 seconds left, Quines fearlessly drove to the basket and finished a tough lay-in over Justin Cargo to give the Greenies the lead.
Letran had one final chance off a timeout, but Daniel Padilla’s shot from the top of the key was contested by Arle Podador as time expired, sealing LSGH’s second Finals appearance in the last three seasons.
Quines returned with a vengeance, posting 28 points, six steals, five rebounds, three assists, and a block to tow the Greenies to victory.
LSGH now gears up for a best-of-three Finals series against the Perpetual Junior Altas, set to begin on Friday.
The game was an epic decider, following the Greenies’ stunning 78-74 win in Game 1 three days ago.
This thriller featured seven deadlocks and five lead changes, all in the closing minutes of the contest.
Letran built a 10-point cushion early on and held a 60-55 lead with under two minutes remaining. But Quines and Gian Gomez orchestrated a comeback, tying the game at 72-all before Dale Ortega knocked down a clutch basket to give LSGH a 74-72 lead.
Padilla showed poise in crunch time, calmly sinking two pressure-packed free throws to give the Squires a 77-76 edge with 10.5 seconds left — only for Quines to come through with the dagger.
Gomez and Podador provided solid support for LSGH with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Padilla, playing his final game for the Squires, led Letran with 20 points. Fellow graduating player Justine Hugo added 19, while former UPIS standout Daryl Valdeavilla chipped in 14.
Also graduating for Letran are Timo Cruz, Basti Reyes, and Syrex Silorio.
The Scores:
LSGH 78 – Quines 28, Gomez 15, Podador 14, Ison 9, Sharma 5, Ortega 2, Osis 2, Yutuc 2, Abad 1.
CSJL 77 – Padilla 20, Hugo 19, Valdeavilla 14, Cargo 5, Silorio 4, Villanueva 4, Alforque 4, Pico 3, Cruz 2, Quijada 2, Lumague 0.
Quarterscores: 17-22, 38-45, 60-60, 78-77.
