Champions again or champions at last? Cubs, Robins dispute NCAA juniors crown

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda seeks to extend its title reign to eight while Mapua shoots for its first championship in 16 years as the two go at it one final time in a showdown between the league's most titled high school teams today in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

 

The Cubs rallied their way back to snatch Game Two, 81-78, Tuesday to knot their series to one game apiece and force a decider against the Robins, who took the opener, 83-64, last week, set at 2 p.m.

 

San Beda is also eyeing a league-best 23 titles while Mapua tries to prevent it and aim for its 21st title, which would push it one shy of tying the former as the league's winningest juniors squad.

 

Both coaches JB Sison of San Beda and Randy Alcantara of Mapua vowed to give it all to grab the crown.

 

"We will give everything we got for that championship," said Sison.

 

"This is the final game so expect everyone to give it their best and no reservation," said Alcantara.

 

The Cubs found a gem in the rough in Carlo Obenza, who came off the bench to lead his team with 19 points including 14 in the second half when they fought back from as much as an eight-point deficit at the break.

 

It was Obenza who also came through when San Beda overhauled a seven-point with five minutes to go by making the key plays and scoring the crucial points in the stretch.

 

San Beda's second half scoring outburst came a few days after it was held to its league-worst scoring output by Mapua's suffocating full-court press.

 

Expect that defense to get fiercer.

 

"We expect them to make the adjustments particularly on defense," said Sison.