The Letran Squires dominates the game with its first junior finals win for Season 99. Photo courtesy of William Tulagan of The LANCE.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Squires dominated the UPHSD Junior Altas, 97-80, in a peak-and-valley match of the NCAA Season 99 Juniors Basketball Finals held earlier at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Coming off of his stellar outing in the elimination round against Jose Rizal University, Moses Manalili dropped a NCAA Season 99 single-game scoring record of 35 points backed with nine assists, nine rebounds, and four steals.
George Diamante was a force to be reckoned on the glass, snatching 16 boards to go along with his 15 points, while June Silorio and Jolo Navarro had their way with 15 and 12, respectively.
Coach Allen Ricardo's team let no possession go to waste, showing an eagerness to clinch the match, with the power duo of Manalili and Navarro scoring back-to-back baskets as they widened the deficit, 77-61.
Intense play was shown from the tip as the Junior Altas' Mark Gojo Cruz and Amiel Acido took the lead for their team.
The Squires narrowed down the gap as they focused on their offensive play and retook the lead, 29-20.
Azrell Asuncion found ways to get baskets for his team which allowed the Junior Altas to rally back into the game heading into the dugout with a narrow advantage, 45-46.
Manalili stepped up for the Intramuros-based squad after the break as they looked to blow the game wide open. Silorio proved to be a reliable scorer with shot after shot falling, cooking the Junior Altas on the defensive end of the floor.
Without minutes wasted, Alex Gazzingan and Diamante showed dominance on the defensive end, blocking shot after shot, which gave the Altas a hard time to get their offense going.
Navarro looked to keep the momentum on his team's side as he got out on the break and threw down an emphatic dunk, much to the delight of the crowd.
Jan Roluna aggressively tried to score back, but his efforts were bested by Manalili's heroics capped off by a near half court heave by Alex Gazzingan that secured the win, 97-80.
Perpetual Junior Altas’ Jan Pagulayan accumulated 17 markers and four dimes, followed by Jhames Daep who bagged 12 points and three assists.
The Letran Squires look to complete the back-to-back as they face the Perpetual Junior Altas for Game 2 of the Finals on March 20 at 2:30 PM, at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Quarter Scores: 29-20, 45-46, 77-61, 97-80
LETRAN (97) -- Manalili 35, Silorio 15, Diamante 14, Navarro 12, Gazzingan 9, Baliling 8, Padilla 2, Reyes 2, Hugo 0, Golez 0, Cruz 0, Villanueva 0
PERPETUAL (80) -- Pagulayan 17, Daep 12, Acido 10, Roluna 10, Cruz 10, Diaz 8, Asuncion 7, Borja 6, Callangan 0, Baldoria 0, Ayon 0, Valencia 0