The defending champion San Beda Red Cubs needed some muscle underneath.
Big man Sam Abu Hijle provided that much needed artillery as he scored twice in the final two minutes to power the Red Cubs to a 78-73 stopping of the Lyceum Junior Pirates last night at the Arena.
He went on to finish with 11 points and 18 rebounds for the Red Cubs, who posted their second consecutive victory in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament.
This put the Red Cubs in a share of the lead with the La Salle Greenhills Junior Blazers and the defending champion Mapua University Red Robins.
The Junior Pirates were threatening, 71-74, when Abu Hijle got a pass from Prince Etrata and scored underneath.
This allowed them to nurse a five-point lead in the closing minute. A charity with 44.4 seconds from Abu Hijle kept San Beda out of range, 77-72.
“Nasanay ako nang ganun sa praktis. Na-apply ko lang kanina,” remarked Abu Hijle.
The Red Cubs went into six deadlocks with the Junior Pirates before they broke free from a 54-all tie.
Two triples from Luke Sese and one from Peter Alfaro connected in the last 5:36, and the Red Cubs went on to enjoy a 66-58 spread.
But the Junior Pirates, led by Mclaude Guadana, still managed to stay close, and threaten by three off Leeian Salazar’s charities.
“Buti naman. Kanina pa namin hinahanap iyung advantage na iyun. Hindi nakita ng mga kakampi iyun. Na-in love sa outside shots,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison on Abu Hijle’s game.
Evan Nelle showed the way for the Red Cubs with 15 points, while Peter Alfaro hit 11.
LSGH 82, EAC 59
Inand Fornillos top-scored for 16 points and had 13 boards for the LSGH Junior Blazers in their 82-59 smashing of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers.
He scored nine points in the third period as the Junior Blazers moved away from a close halftime lead of 34-31, and into a 55-40 spread at the end of the third.
Maui Cruz had 22 points for the Brigadiers and he was held to three in final canto.
The Brigadiers went down with their second straight setback.
Perpetual Help 79, JRU 78
Returning player John Umali, back after a year’s absence, scored inside the paint with 18.1 second left, lifting the Perpetual Help Junior Altas to a 79-78 win over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers.
Umali, who only had nine points, gave the Junior Altas 79-75 cushion in the next play.
John Sicat made a triple with 7.8 ticks to go, but they ran out time as the Junior Altas kept possession afterwards.
Jielo Razon showed the way for the Junior Altas with 26 points while Errol Bongay contributed 21.