Robins rout Cubs, end 16-year title drought

MANILA, Philippines - Mapua ended a 16-year long title wait with an emphatic 84-67 rout of San Beda as the Robins crowned themselves the new NCAA juniors basketball champions at the MOA Arena in Pasay yesterday.

The Robins rode on a strong start and a stronger finish to waylay the Red Cubs and complete a 2-1 series victory, Mapua’s first since a Horacio Lim-mentored team bagged the crown in 2000-01.

It also ended San Beda’s seven-year reign in the league.

“It was hard at first because people laughed at us whenever we enter the venue because they thought we were an elementary team,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara. “I also remembered when I first conducted a tryout, my team looked like a quiz bee team, they had to remove their eyeglasses before playing.”

Brian Lacap fired 16 points while Clint Escamis marked his 16th birthday with a 14-point effort as they helped power Mapua to victory, the school’s 20th championship overall, just two behind San Beda’s league-best 22.

It was also Alcantara’s first title as a coach although he had won two NCAA titles as member of the Mapua squad that won back-to-back from 1990-91.

Bryan Samudio capped his last season for the Robins with a 13-point production, including eight in the fourth quarter, and a Finals MVP trophy.

Mapua also avenged its finals loss to San Beda two years ago when the former came a win away from securing the crown, only to lose the last two games and the title.

They made sure the crown won’t slip away this time.

It was virtually over midway in the final period when the Robins quashed repeated rallies by the Cubs.

The Robins and their fans whooped it up on the court at the buzzer with Alcantara relishing the sweet victory that washed away years of frustrations and heartaches.

“We never won a game on my first year. We were trailing 120 points to La Salle-Greenhills and they were still trapping us. The closest of our losses was when we were beaten by just 40 points by Perpetual Help,” recalled Alcantara.

“San Beda beat us by 80 points but they did platoon substitution everytime. 

“But I learned to be patient and work harder and I told myself I’ll get back at them someday and I’m very thankful we’re here now,” he added.

The scores:

Mapua 84 – Lacap 16, Escamis 14, Samudio 13, Garcia 12, Salenga 11, Bonifacio 10, Junsay 5, Gozum 3, Ramos 0

San Beda 67 – Obenza 14, Velasquez 14, Mahinay 11, Abu Hijleh 10, Alfaro 4, Nayve 4, Tagala 3, Nelle 3, Dela Rosa 2, Lagumen 2, Etrata 0

Quarterscores: 24-13, 38-24, 52-40, 84-67