Red Cubs, Squires face off for NCAA crown

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Letran dispute the NCAA juniors basketball crown in a winner-take-all match at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The Mendiola-based squad poised itself for a sweep when it romped away with a 98-75 rout in the opener of the best-of-three series. But the Squires, behind Jarelan Tampus and Glenn Khobuntin, fought back in Game Two and hacked out an 83-80 victory.

The match is set at 2 p.m. with the Red Cubs hoping to annex its 17th title and give coach Ato Badolato a fitting farewell gift.

Letran, on the other hand, is eyeing its 11th championship. Badolato, who steered the team to 15 titles, is retiring after the season.

“This would be my last season because I want to concentrate on my job as San Beda athletic director and relax a bit,” said Badolato. “But I will still be around to give the team advice and help in other ways.”

Tampus waxed hot with 28 points and came up with 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block while Khobuntin bucked an ankle injury to fire 22 points and pull down 15 rebounds in the Squires’ series tying win last Saturday.

Focus will also be on Archie Inigo, who nailed a triple with 5.8 seconds to go that shattered an 80-all deadlock and gave Letran the win.