The Letran Squires made sure to put away the La Salle Green Hills Greenies in an emphatic fashion, romping off with a big 77-61 Game 2 victory at the packed San Andres Sports Complex Thursday to end a 22-year title drought in the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.
Jovel Baliling led the assault with 19 points as the Squires, who took Game 1 with an 85-81 triumph, claimed their first crown since 2001.
For Squires’ coach Allen Ricardo, it was an awkward moment, since he spent eight years as an assistant coach of the Greenies and was around when LSGH won their first high school plum back in 2017.
“Ang tagal ko rin sa LSGH. Eight years po ako doon. But I’m thankful and grateful. Dahil doon po ako nag-grow,” said Ricardo.
Letran focused their defense on newly-crowned season MVP Luis Pablo, who was held to two of his game-high 20 points in the second period.
The Squires took the lead by 10, 38-28, at halftime, following a 10-2 blast off Alvin Silorio’s jumper, Baliling’s rebound and pass to June Silorio and Andy Gemao’s drive off a turnover.
From there, the Squires never relinquished their advantage, taking a 13-point spread, 45-32, with 6:46 left in the third period off Gemao’s jumper.
Syrex Silorio, who came away with 27 points in Game 1, scored back-to-back baskets for a 15-point 63-48 edge in the final 4:37.
“Sobrang saya po namin. Halos isang taong namin na pinaghandaan ito,” said Gemao, who was hailed as the Finals’ MVP.
Jonathan Manalili tallied 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Squires while Gemao shot 14 and Silorio fired 12.
Rod Alian and Seven Gagate contributed 13 and 11 points for the Greenies.
Joining Pablo in the Mythical Team were his teammate Seven Gagate, Gemao, Matthew Rubico of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Amiel Acido of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Chris Hubilla of San Beda.
Rubico was named this season’s Rookie of the Year in his one-and-done stint for the Junior Pirates, while Gagate claimed the Most Improved Player plum.
The Defensive Players of the Year awards were shared by PE Enal of Jose Rizal University and George Diamante of Letran.
Completing the All-Defensive Team were Pablo, Gagate, Acido, Diamante and Ivan Panapanaan of Arellano University.
The Red Cubs, meanwhile, won the Sportsmanship Award.