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Friday, March 29, 2024

NCAA Juniors: Squires thump Stags; Altas, EAC shine

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The Letran Squires got a needed boost from 6’5 Neil Guarino in the extra period.

The 17-year old Guarino’s three-pointer in the last 3:43 fuelled a big scoring run that propelled the Squires to an 85-74 thumping of the San Sebastian Stags in overtime on Tuesday evening at the Arena in San Juan.

For Guarino, who top-scored for 23 points, it was his only basket in the extra five minutes.

The Squires drew nine of 21 points from Kurt Reyson in the remaining time, and this also carried them to their fourth win in eight outings.

When Guarino struck, the Squires began moving away, 69-64.

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And this touched off an 8-0 run that handed the Squires a 72-64 lead in the last 3:04.

On the other hand, the second triple from Tolentino with 2:17 left widened their advantage to nine, 75-66.

“Medyo off ako sa three-points. Peron nung overtime, nakuha ko kumpiyansa ko sa tulong ni coach (Raymund Valenzona),” said Guarino.

Their 4-4 win-loss record allowed the Squires to move up the standings, and behind the Arellano University Braves.

“Siya lang ang shooter namin. Malaking shooter. Sinabi ko sa mga teammates niya na hanapin niyo siya, Kahit pumasok ang shot, bigyan niyo,” said Letran coach Raymund Valenzona.

Reyson’s clutch basket in the last 4.6 seconds tied the contest, 64-all, in regulation.

The Staglets could have won it outright, but Romel Calahat missed an attempt at the buzzer.

Ameer Aguilar led the Staglets with 18 points while Calahat added 16 points and 10 boards.

Letran’s Neil Guarino in action. Peter Atencio

Perpetual Help 75, Arellano Braves 67

Jielo Razon shot five of his 25 points in the last 30 seconds, and the University of Perpetual Help  Junior Altas went on to upset the Arellano  Braves, 75-67.

Razon also had eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists, towing the Junior Altas to their third triumph in seven outings, while the Braves are behind at 4-3.

The  Braves, behind big man Aaron Fermin and Ira Bataller, made an effort to come back in the fourth quarter, and after struggling, 31-21, at halftime.

A 13-5 run in the fourth allowed the Brave to come near, 67-68, in the remaining three minutes.

Then Junior Altas cager Jasper Cuevas got in the way of Aaron Fermin, forced a turnover and hit a layup that put the Junior Altas up by three, 70-67.

The Braves could have tied it, but Nino Tamayo’s triple bounced out of the rim.

Then, Razon finished it off for the Junior Altas with a drive and two charities in the next plays.

“Pinakita niya lang ang pagiging leader niya sa team,” said Junior Altas coach Michael Saguiguit.

EAC Brigadiers 84, JRU Light Bombers 75

The Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, behind Maui Cruz with 20 points, finally won after stopping the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 84-75.

This handed  Brigadiers a 1-6 win-loss record in the standings.

Roland Baliquig, who only had six points, keyed in a big breakaway for the Brigadiers in the last three minutes of the second period.

With the Light Bombers trailing, 27-28, Baliquig’s two charities and jumper in the last 54 seconds came during a 7-0 spurt.

When it was over, the Brigadiers were enjoying a 35-27 edge.

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