Last year’s finals will be relived when defending champion La Salle Greenhills and the Mapua Red Robins fight it out for the crown in Game 3 of the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a close game last season and what took place at that time could happen again when the Greenies seek their second straight title in their 2 p.m. clash.
“It’s a do-or-die. It’s going to be close and I’m sure they really want to get back at us over what they experienced last year,” said Greenies coach Marvin Bienvenida.
The Greenies took Game 1 of their best-of-three finals with a 74-69 win over the Red Robins.
The Red Robins then took Game 2 over the Greenies, 85-76.
“Back to zero kami. Baka mawala ang momentum pag nakumpiyansa. Nalagay na kami sa situation na iyan. Nangyari na ito last year. Pero, natuto na ang team duon,” said Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara, who is tipped to replace Atoy Co as head coach of the Mapua Cardinals.
With the Red Robins main Clint Escamis nursing a knee injury, Alcantara is banking on the leadership of Dan Arches to bring the Red Robins to their 22nd high school crown.
Bienvenida is banking on the efforts of season MVP Joel Cagulangan, Inand Fornilos and Joshua David to help the Greenhills keep the crown.
Last year, David made up for two missed free throws in the last 14 seconds with a steal off a fallen Warren Bonifacio, forcing a turnover with four ticks to go.
They then relied on a defensive play by Inand Fornilos in keeping the Red Robins from converting as time expired.
Cagulangan, who is the finals MVP, delivered 19 points, knocked down his two charities in the final 37.3 seconds to give the Greenhills enough cushion to win the game. “‹