Sports

Letran ends long NCAA juniors title drought


Andy Gemao Letran Junior Finals NCAA

NCAA photo

MANILA, Philippines-Letran ended a 22-year drought of the NCAA junior basketball championship with a 77-61 win over CSB-La Salle Green Hills at the crowded San Andres Sports Complex. on Thursday.

Subs Jovel Baliling and Jonathan Manalili are in the spotlight, while Finals MVP Andy Gemao is in his usual best form to power the Guards in their pursuit of the elusive title.

This is Letran’s first high school championship since 2001 led by Jay-R Reyes and the first double championship for the Muralla-based school since 1983.

Just last December, Letran completed a “three peat” in the men’s basketball tournament.

Baliling had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists while Manalili scored 16 points, 8 goals, 7 assists and 2 saves, while Gemao scored 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for Letran.

The 16-year-old Gemao averaged 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the series.

Luis Pablo, who was named MVP of the season before Game 2, led the Greenies with 20 points and 14 bounces while his front teammate Seven Gagate also had a brace with 11 points and 18 The table comes with three blocks.

Rod Alian and CJ Mesias are other double-digit LSGH players with 13 and 10 points respectively.

Joining Pablo on Team Myth are his teammates Gagate, Gemao, Matthew Rubico of the University of the Philippines Lyceum, Amiel Acido of Dalta University of Eternal Aid Systems, and Chris Hubilla of San Beda.

Rubico was named Rookie of the Year this season during his one-time stint for the Junior Pirates while Gagate earned the Most Improved Player award.

Defensive Player of the Year was shared by PE Enal of Jose Rizal University and Letran’s George Diamante.

Completing the Comprehensive Defensive Team are Pablo, Gagate, Acido, Diamante and Ivan Panapanaan of the University of Arellano.

Meanwhile, the Red Cubs won the Sports Spirit Award.

Scores:

Letran 77 — Baliling 19, Manalili 16, Gemao 14, Silorio 12, Alforque 4, Hugo 4, Anabo 3, Cruz 2, Reyes 2, Diamante 1, Navarro 0, Datumalim 0, Paguiligan 0, Padilla 0, Cuajao 0.

LSGH 61 — Pablo 20, Alian 13, Gagate 11, Mesias 10, Ison 5, Villaver 2, S. Romero 0, R. Romero 0, Rivero 0, Zamora 0, Gomez 0, Hachuela 0, Zaragoza 0, Muyuela 0.

Quarterfinals scores: 21-18, 38-28, 56-44, 77-61.

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