EXPERIENCE is on the side of defending champion Malayan High School Red Robins when they clash with the La Salle Greenhills Greenies at 3 p.m. today in Game 3 of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
The Red Robins are going for their 22nd secondary basketball title that will allow them to tie San Beda’s record as the league’s winningest high school team.
On the other hand, the Greenies will shoot for their very first championship.
La Salle took the series opener, 74-68, last week but Malayan High bounced back strong and seized Game 2, 91-81.
“We are determined to win everything in Game 3 and we will give it our best to bring the title back to Mapua,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.
Last year, the Red Robins ended a 16-year title drought by stunning San Beda to go home with its 21st title and gain the distinction as the league’s most-decorated team, alongside San Beda.
In Game 2, Clint Escamis exploded with 25 points including 10 in the fourth quarter when the Robins weathered a furious fightback by the Greenies.
Then, Warren Bonifacio filled up the void left by Will Gozum, who fouled out as early as the third quarter, and finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
The Greenies will be a complete team with the return of top forward Inand Fornilos from a one-game suspension. Peter Atencio
