Jr Blazers stun Robins, claim 1st NCAA crown

MANILA, Philippines — St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills scored a breakthrough in NCAA juniors basketball in style, charging back from 14 points down and nipping defending champion Mapua at endgame, 75-74, to claim the crown at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

The Junior Blazers clamped down on defense in the second half, forcing the taller Red Robins to a number of turnovers while hounding Mapua’s shooters, who sizzled in the early going to seize a huge 38-24 advantage.

Joshua David put in a career-best 27 points, including 18 in the last two quarters although he flubbed two charities late in the contest that kept Mapua in the match while Joel Cagulangan poured in 19 markers, including two pressure-packed free throws that shoved CSB-LSGH ahead for good.

The Red Robins still had a couple of chances to snatch the lead, the win and the title but they struggled in the face of the Junior Blazers’ pesky defense with Clint Escamis failing to launch a shot as their shot clock expired. Mike Enriquez’s jumper atop the key also bounced off the rim to seal the CSB-LSGH record win.