By: Romwel Anzures
The Squires s from downtown take it up with the big leagues as they take on CSB for the title. Photo courtesy of Patrick Dominic Romero of The LANCE.
MANILA, Philippines - Colegio de San Juan de Letran is looking to bag its 13th NCAA Juniors' Basketball Championship, its first after 22 years, as they face La Salle Green Hills on Thursday, March 16, at the San Andres Complex in Manila.
The Squires are coming off a huge comeback game one win, 85-81, last Monday, where they found themselves trailing by double digits late in the second quarter.
The Muralla-based squad charged back with a huge second-half run that allowed them to lead by as much as nine, 85-76, late in the game. The Greenies tried to climb back and cut the lead to four, but foul trouble from Seven Gagate and Green Hills' turnovers resulted in LSGH's demise.
Letran young star Andy Gemao finished with yet another all-around game, putting up 21 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals for the Squires who have only lost once in the season. Grade 11 Syrex Silorio also contributed a career-high 27 points with seven boards, three dimes, an assist and a rejection to top-score for the top-seeded squires.
And Letran head coach Allen Ricardo shared that heading to game two, his squad must go all in for them to finally complete the Squires' dream season. "Kailangan lang umextra effort offensively and defensively. Kailangan ibigay na yung lahat, 'wag mag titira kasi ang hirap 'pag nag game three pa," he said.
"In God's will, hopefully."