Jr Blazers crush CKS 5, seal NBTC title clash vs Bullpups

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning NCAA champion La Salle-Greenhills overpowered Chiang Kai Shek, 81-64, while National U stopped Sacred Heart-Ateneo Cebu, 71-47, yesterday to arrange a title clash in the SM National Basketball Training Center National Finals at the MOA Arena in Pasay.

Joel Cagulangan, the NCAA finals MVP, fired 25 points, including six triples, to power the Junior Blazers to their first ever finals stint in the tournament against the Bullpups, who blasted the team that shocked reigning UAAP titlist Ateneo, 72-70, in the Elite 8 late Wednesday.

The finals is set at 4 p.m. today.

“He’s a smart player, he played with heart even though he wasn’t 100 percent,” said La Salle-Greenhills coach Marvin Bienvenida referring to Cagulangan, who played with a dislocated right ring finger.

On its way to the finals, LSGH scored two come-from-behind victories over Lyceum of the Phl U and San Beda.

“I thought coming from five straight games, including the last two, that we will have endurance issues,” said Bienvenida. “But it didn’t happen, the guys just showed heart and will to win.”

Jacob Lao and McCoy Marcos chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively, while Inand Fornillos made nine points, 13 caroms and six blocks.