MANILA, Philippines – Letran and La Salle downed their respective top-seeded rivals to arrange the showdown for the TriDharma Mktg. Corp Filipino-Chinese Basketball League second Freego Jeans’ Cup crown at Buddhacare Gym near Araneta Ave. in Quezon City recently.
The Squires leaned on the all-around game of Mark Cruz to shock No. 1 ranked San Beda, 79-75, and clinch the first finals seat of the high school cagefest backed by Energen Cereal Energy Drink, Hi-Smart Vitamins and Nutri-C Juice.
Cruz had 17 points and eight assists to back the 22-point output of Jerelan Tampus as Letran goes for back-to-back crowns against the Junior Archers, who also pulled an upset against No. 2 seed Ateneo.
Luigi dela Paz scored a game-high 29 points to lead La Salle to the victory and a crack at the crown in the tournament supported by f’g Revolution Denim, Dickies Underwear, Old Chinatown Koptitiam, Clincher Packaging Tape, Nougat Candy, Colt Commercial, Powerbest Marketing Inc. and Star Galaxy Industrial Fabricator Inc.
Gwayne Capacio and Von Vonopstal chipped in 19 and 17 points, respectively, for the Junior Archers.
It was sorry loss for the Blue Eaglets, who dominated the tournament with seven straight wins before bowing to the Red Cubs in the final day of eliminations.
Aldin Unson and Kiefer Ravena paced Ateneo with 28 and 21 points, respectively. The Blue Eaglets and the Red Cubs dispute third place honors.