AN off-form San Beda Red Cubs, an upbeat University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas and a boosted La Salle-Greenhills Greenies pulled off much-needed victories Monday in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association Junior Basketball Tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
Big man Sam Abu Hijle proved to be the saving grace of the error-prone Red Cubs, who posted a 74-66 smashing of the San Sebastian Staglets. The 6’3” Hijle played his best game of the season, hitting 30 points and hauling 14 rebounds for the Red Cubs.
Jielo Razon made 23 points and 10 rebounds, leading three other teammates in double digits as the Junior Altas smothered the Letran Squires, 88-68.
The Greenies, led by Troy Malinlin’s 20 points, banked on crucial charities by Joel Cagulangan in the closing minute, to turn back the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 70-63.
The Red Cubs, who had more turnovers than the Staglets with 23, went on to post their sixth straight win, just behind the solo-leading Arellano University Braves.
“We had a bad game today. Masama ang shooting percentage namin(36%). Dami kaming executions, but our shots were poor. Buti na lang our defense helped,” said Red Cubs’ coach JB Sison.
The Altas’ fourth win in seven games put the Junior Altas in a share of fourth with the Greenies, and this moved them in contention for a Final Four seat this season.
Meanwhile, rookie Bryan Samudio and transferee Brian Lacap fired 22 and 17 points, respectively, to help power the Mapua Red Robins to a 98-74 demolition of the Emilio Aguinaldo College-ICA Brigadiers.Their efforts helped hand the Red Robins their fifth win in and six games and kept them in third place.
Games today
(The Arena, San Juan)
12 nn.- Arellano U vs EAC (srs)
2 p.m.- San Sebastian vs LPU (srs)
4 p.m.- Perpetual Help vs St. Benilde (srs)