Games Monday
(San Andres Sports Complex)
12 noon – Letran vs Mapua
2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs LSGH

DEFENDING champion San Beda snared the last twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four after eking out an 83-77 win over College of Saint Benilde Thursday in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex.

It was sweet victory for the Red Cubs who stormed back from a 10-point first-half deficit to avenge their 84-87 elimination round loss to the Greenies last February 9.

San Beda ended up the second-ranked team in the Final Four, needing to beat No. 3 LSGH only once on Monday to advance to the best-of-three Finals.

Elimination round topnotcher Letran also holds the same semis incentive as it needs to hurdle No. 4 Mapua on Monday to secure a place in the title round.

Jharmaine Lecciones played his best game so far for the Red Cubs with 25 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals while John Lopez chipped in 16 points.

Chris Hubilla produced a double-double with 15 points and 19 boards for San Beda, which won its last three matches, including last week’s playoff for the No. 4 slot against San Sebastian.

Seven Gagate had 21 points, 16 rebounds and four assists while Luis Pablo added 14 points, 16 boards and three assists for the Greenies. (Amado Inigo/MATVN)

The scores:
San Beda (83) — Lecciones 25, Lopez 16, Hubilla 15, Wagan 9, Dungo 6, Ludovice 5, Lorenzo 4, Ronquillo 2, Mundas 1, Reyes 0.
LSGH (77) — Gagate 21, Pablo 14, Ison 12, Mesias 9, Alian 8, Gomez 8, S. Romero 5, R. Romero 0, Muyuela 0, Zaragoza 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 38-42, 60-58, 83-77