By: Jerod Orculo
Malayan High School pulled off a thrilling 71-69 victory over San Beda-Rizal in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Former Asiabasket Youth League MVP Sean Salvador led the Red Robins with 24 points, knocking down four of his eight attempts from beyond the arc.
It was a welcome bounce-back from a poor shooting performance in their previous game against LSGH (8 points on 3-of-14 shooting).
Former FEU Baby Tamaraw Dwyne Miranda added 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Allan Laurenaria dominated the boards with 10 rebounds and contributed seven points.
Determined to make a statement after their heartbreaking 73-76 loss to the Greenies last Sunday, the Red Robins faced off against the league’s only unbeaten team with a sense of urgency.
Salvador’s hot shooting ignited Malayan’s offense, with his three-pointer at the 7:42 mark of the third quarter pushing their lead to a commanding 54-37.
San Beda mounted a late comeback attempt in the final frame, but it fell short as Joaquin Wagan missed a potential game-tying mid-range jumper with less than 15 seconds remaining.
“Sinasabi ko naman sa team namin ngayon, may potential sila na maging number one, mag-champion,” said Red Robins head coach John Ross Dela Cruz.
“Kailangan lang namin i-maximize yung strength namin, and also improve namin yung defense. Tingin ko kahit sino kaya namin talunin.”
For San Beda, MJ Vailoces delivered a strong performance with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
In the following game, San Sebastian College-Recoletos secured its first win of the season with an 83-77 triumph over Lyceum of the Philippines-Cavite.
With Kit Bonus sidelined indefinitely due to an injury sustained in their season opener against La Salle Greenhills on February 24, Sanlea Penaverde stepped up in a big way.
He recorded a career-best double-double with 37 points, 10 rebounds, nine steals, and six assists to power the Golden Staglets.
“Sobrang nakakahirap talaga, kasi nga I feel bad for the kids, kasi isang taon namin pinagpreparean eh. Malaking bagay sa amin yung pagkawala ni Kit Bonus, kasi honestly 40% ng team tumatakbo sa kanya,” shared Golden Staglets head coach Juan Miguel Martin.
Harry Herrera chipped in nine points, while Jozef Apostol, Benedick Jimenez, and Lordy Victoria each added seven points.
San Sebastian came out firing, surging to a double-digit lead, 23-9, in the opening quarter.
Lyceum, also searching for its first win of the season, refused to back down. The Junior Pirates rallied and grabbed a 73-65 advantage late in the fourth quarter.
However, the Golden Staglets dominated the final two minutes, forcing Lyceum into crucial turnovers while converting key baskets to complete their comeback victory.
Cleafford Dag-um led Lyceum with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Zyren Panerio also scored 18 points, while Joss Poli contributed 14.
The Scores:
First game
MHSS 71 – Salvador 24, Miranda 13, Laurenaria 7, Bernabe 6, Duque 6, Reyes 5, Tagocon 4, Rodriguez 4, Del Poso 2, Banal 0, Bagro 0.
SBU 69 – Vailoces 25, Batongbakal 8, Ugaddan 8, Medroso 8, Garcia 7, San Juan 7, Wagan 4, Winters 2, Dollente 0, Mondigo 0, Tauber 0, Sahali 0, Reroma 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 41-35, 62-52, 71-69.
Second Game
SSC-R 83 – Penaverde 37, Herrera 9, Apostol 7, Jimenez 7, Victoria 7, Ynot 4, Bautista 4, Velasquez 2, Marasigan 2, Melano 2, Rodriguez 2, Rosales 0, Casan 0, Santos 0.
LPU 77 – Dag-um 18, Panerio 18, Poli 14, Abrantes 10, Enguio 9, Julio 2, Pelayo 2, Conde 2, Araneta 2, Pena 0, Melchor 0, Creus 0, Lontok 0, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 23-9, 45-39, 62-61, 83-77
