La Salle juniors triumph

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle-Greenhills blew a 22-point lead in the third quarter but leaned on Joseph Trajano and its defense at endgame to eke out a 74-72 victory over Arellano University in the juniors division of the Fil-Oil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup at the Arena in San Juan yesterday. Trajano scored on a drive in the closing seconds then the Greenies foiled their rivals’ bid with tough defense in the ensuing play to escape with the victory, their second in the tournament dubbed the Badolato Cup.

The Greenies raced away from a close 18-La Salle-Greenhills blew a 22-point lead in the third quarter but leaned on Joseph Trajano and its defense at endgame to eke out a 74-72 victory over Arellano University in the juniors division of the Fil-Oil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup at the Arena in San Juan yesterday. 13 game after the first quarter to a 49-27 bulge heading to the third only to lose steam, enabling Arellano, behind Michael Gumaru, to come back and turn the contest into a down-to-the-wire finish.

Gumaru drilled 13 of his 25 points in the third period as the Braves closed to within 54-59, before forcing three deadlocks in the fourth period, the last at 72 with 53 seconds remaining in the contest.

“We had a good lead in the first half but dwindled on the second. But we were able to establish a good defense at endgame,” said LSGH coach Hubert delos Santos. “I reminded the boys to be patient with their shots.”

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy scored a walkover win over University of Perpetual Help.

The scores:

First Game (Jrs)

LSGH 74 – Torres 18, Trajano 11, Diaz 9, Pumaren 8, Marcial 6, Villaluz 6, Vergara 5, Bonleon 4, Carlos 3, Sta. Clara 2, Sy 2, Mercado 0, Pate 0, Sta. Maria 0

AU 72 - Gumaru 25, Bustamante 14, Guibone 10, Cerrudo 9, Nacua 8, Maceda 2, Sacdalan 2, Victuelles 2, Gonzales 0, Ookubo 0, Origenes 0, Perucho 0, Ysmael 0, Yoro 0

Quarterscores: 18-13, 45-27, 57-47, 74-72, 57-47, 74-72