THE twin towers of the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs flexed their muscles in the shaded lane and the led the Mendiola-based cagers to a 97-72 blasting of the La Salle Greenhills Greenies Monday at the Arena in San Juan.
Six-foot-three Fil-Jordanian Sam Abu Hijle banged in 18 points, while 6’6” Germy Mahinay delivered 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Red Cubs, who posted their fifth straight win in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association juniors basketball tournament.
Their efforts allowed the Red Cubs to remain in second spot, behind the solo-leading Arellano University Braves.
Abu Hijle and Mahinay took charge during a decisive second period run, scoring a combined 13 points to lead the Red Cubs away from a close 21-19 first period count. They were ahead by 14 points when the second period was over, 47-33.
Ace scorer Joshua Tagala had only five points and focused his efforts on stopping prolific Greenie Troy Malinlin, who was limited to two in the third as the Red Cubs moved away by 21, 72-51, at the end of the period.
“We limited his touches. Tagala sacrificed his offense to defend on him,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.
The Greenies, with Malinlin and Vincent David making 18 and 17 points, remained in third with their 3-2 slate.
In other games, Jielo Razon and Errol Bongay struck with 20 points for the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, who prevailed over Emilio Aguinaldo College-ICA, 87-70.
Kobe Monje tallied 22 points in leading the Letran Squires to an 80-73 beating of the San Sebastian Staglets.
The Junior Altas and Squires kept their hold on fifth spot, having similar 3-3 win-loss slates.