CKSC routs San Beda to rule MMBL cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – The Chiang Kai Shek College Blue Dragons won their second Metro Manila Basketball League title at the expense of skidding San Beda, 80-62, at the Red Cubs’ own gym in Mendiola last Sunday.

The Blue Dragons took charge from the opening quarter, 25-8, and never looked back. Coach Goldwyn Monteverde’s boys took the lead from the opening whistle and never allowed SBC to tie or even get past them in the game.

The Red Cubs, who lost in the NCAA juniors Final Four against eventual champion La Salle Greenhills, have been shut out of the three major tournaments this season — the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup, the NCAA and now the MMBL. The consolation for JB Sison’s wards is by virtue of their MMBL finals berth, they have advanced to the SM-NBTC National High School Finals this coming March where they are the defending champions.

CKSC’s John Galinato led all scorers with 19 points and received capable support from teammates Jason Celis and EJ Agbong, who added 17 and 14 points, respectively.

As for the Red Cubs, their usual leaders — Even Nelle, Germy Mahinay and Addy Velasquez were non-factors. Nelle played 19 minutes and was far from his game-changing self. He finished with only two points although he did chalk up four assists. He fouled out early in the match. Mahinay scored two points while Velasquez played only three minutes and did not score. San Beda was led by Ain Obenza who scored 13 points. Robi Nayve added 12 while Prince Etrata scored 10 points.

San Beda ruled the boards and were nearly even with CKSC in assists, 13-14, but the Blue Dragons’ relentless attack inside the lane saw them troop to the free throw line 27 times (where they only hit 15 free throws). In stark contrast, SBC without much of an inside presence, opted to shoot from three-point range, a usual strength, where they only hit 8-28 three-point attempts. CKSC shot 46 percent of their field goals while SBC was a poor 36 percent.

The Blue Dragons’ first MMBL crown also came at the expense of San Beda in 2015 with a Red Cubs squad that bannered Andrei Caracut, Norrish DeCapia, and Chami Diputado. CKSC then featured JV Gallego, Fran Yu, Shannon Gagate, and Jonas Tibayan.

The SM-NBTC National High School Championships will be played this coming March 18-23 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.