THE Arellano University Braves and the La Salle Greenhills Greenies are two teams that should not be ignored in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament.
They are coming out with convincing victories which have put them on course for good spots in the Final Four.
Arellano’s best player, Aaron Fermin, could be a contender for the MVP race with the way he’s playing the last nine games.
One of their point guards, Marlon Espiritu is coming up with heads-up plays that contributed to the Braves’ efforts to stay in contention.
On the other hand, the Greenies are relying on their deep bench to pull off surprises as the season progresses. They even took in skills coach Gannon Baker to help the Greenies get their game going right in the second round.
The Braves got winning baskets and winning plays from Espiritu who lifted the Braves to a 67-60 upset of the favorite San Beda Red Cubs, last Aug. 29, Tuesday. The 18-year-old Espiritu said they stuck to their game plan of limiting the Cubs’ offense through their hard-nosed defense.
Espiritu forced three turnovers in the final minute, and with the Red Cubs closing in, 57-62.
When the Red Cubs came close off Sam Abu Hijle’s three-point play, 60-63, Espiritu responded with a steal off Josh Tagala and a drive in the last 20.5 seconds that gave them a five-point spread, 65-60.
Because of the win, the Braves moved to a share of third with the Letran Squires at 5-4.
Braves coach Tylon Darjuan said the victory gave his team even more confidence that they could win it all.
Arellano’s Aaron Fermin is currently the team’s no. 2 scorer with 17 points, and no. 1 in rebounding with 18 per game.
Meanwhile, it’s been four years since the La Salle Greenhills Greenies last came up with their best showing.
The last time they did was in 2013, the Greenies had the likes of Kobe Paras and the Rivero brothers, Prince and Ricci, in their roster.
With all three gone, a new generation of gutsy players are showing their mettle in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.
When the Greenies fought off the Arellano Braves, 79-77, last week, they emerged as the top defensive team the end of the first round.
Joshua Marcos played his best game in a long while with 15 points. Ladis Lepalam knocked in 12 points and grabbed rebounds.
The 6’5” Lepalam stood out in the last two seconds, when he stopped Braves hotshot Kobe Camacho from scoring a basket that would have sent the contest to overtime.
Joel Cagulangan also showed his best effort after he and Jesmar Pedrosa contributed 10 quality points.
Cagulangan scored on a game winner with his with two ticks left.
After that, Lepalam got in the way and kept Camacho from coming up with a decent layup as time ran out.
