The La Salle Greenhills Greenies stood their ground under the boards in the second half.
The Greenies drew big plays from big man Inand Fornilos in the second half to overpower the San Sebastian Staglets, 108-82, on Tuesday in the playoffs for the last Final Four seat in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament.
The 6’2 Fornilos, who averages 13 points and 11 rebound, eked out a season-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Greenies.
His season’s best came as the top scorer Joel Cagulangan topscored with 30 points.
“Gusto kong ibigay ang lahat ko sa game. Kasi, kung natalo kami, wala na. Tinanggap namin ang challenge ni coach na panalunin ito,” said Fornilos.
Fornilos, great efforts in the shaded lane with teammate Nikki Perez in the second half earned the Greenies the no. 4 seeding in the Final Four.
The Greenies are returning to the Final Four after missing it last year.
In season 91, the Greenies reached the stepladder semifinals after beating the Lyceum Junior Pirates, 88-71, in the fourth seed playoff.
Cagulangan, who was limited to six points in the third, knocked in a triple that put the Greenies in front, 56-55, at the start of the third canto.
Then, the 6’2 Fornilos came off the bench and began challenging Staglets big men Romel Calahat, Neil Villapando and Damie Cuntapay for baskets.
He struck hard twice in the last 5:13, with his inside plays sending the Greenies ahead by seven, 62-55.
“We made adjustments on how they attacked and scored on us, primarily on offensive rebounds and transition offense. And so, we focused on that,” said Greenies coach Marvin Bienvenida.
Romel Calahat banged in 15 points for the Staglets, and he was scoreless in the fourth, while Alex Desoyo knocked in 12.
Fornilos made 12 points in the last canto, with attacks from Fornilos and Cagulangan in the final 7:43 giving the Greenies a 19-points spread.
Firs game (junior)
CSB-LSGH 108 – Cagulangan 30, Fornilos 24, David 17, Mosqueda 14, Lao 6, Perez 5, Marcos 4, Sangco 4, Morales 2, Cruz 2, Pedrosa 0, Dela Cruz 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 82 – Calahat 15, Desoyo 12, Villapando 11, Cuntapay 10, Rodriguez 10, Pasamante 8, Aguilar 6, Sumoda 5, Timbancaya 3, Are 2, Umayao 0, Pelias 0, Espiritu 0, Magbanua 0, Suico 0
QUARTER SCORES: 21-25, 45-49, 79-65, 108-82