NCAA Season 92 Basketball: The Best Games of Kobe Monje and the Letran Squires

Kobe Monje’s games with the Letran Squires as they struggle to have a better place in the team standings is something to see.

Because of his outside shooting, and the Squires efforts to march on despite great odds, they are  not expected to fade in the season 92 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Junior Basketball wars without a fight.

Letran’s victory last July 28 was a 74-63 smashing of the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers showed how Kobe can shoot the lights out of the opposition.

(Kobe Monje (no. 16) defending against a Lyceum player-file photo).

I hardly know Kobe, but he was noticeable after making 12 points in that game(behind Miguel Villanueva’s gamehigh 16 points and 13 rebounds).

For a team which is not known for excellent shooters who could be good day in and day out, they were quality points.

Kobe’s efforts contributed to Letran’s win no. 4, which came on their eighth game of the season.

(Miguel Villanueva(no. 11), in a rebound play)- file photo.

That same day, the San Beda Red Cubs fought off the Mapua Red Robins, 86-84, with Mark Lagumen topscoring for 21 points to power his team to a share of the lead with the Arellano University Braves.

They have won seven straight games each.

—Letran 74, JRU 63

On that day, Miguel Villanueva led the Squires with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while teammate Rhayniel David chipped in 11.

(Rhayniel David).

Their victory came right before the San Beda Red Cubs would beat the Mapua Red Robins, 86-84, with Mark Lagumen leading with 21 points.

The Squires, who have no outstanding shooters, got off to a great start, taking a 10-0 lead in the last 7:06 of the first period, with Monje unloading two triples and then scoring on his defensive rebound.

After that, his other teammates took over.

(Russell Dolendo).

They went on to take a 16-4 lead off Miguel Villanueva’s two charities, 16-4, with four minutes left.

Another rebound play, and jumper from Russell Dollendo saw the Squires moving up by 11, 23-12, with 3:07 to go.

In the second quarter, a triple from Keifer Cordero, with an assist from Kurt Reyson at the 7:41 mark handed the Squires a 32-16 advantage.

(Keifer Cordero).

This is where the Squires struck hardest when they scored 10 points with their inside plays.

Villanueva’s attacks in the last 1:46 of the third then led to a 17-point spread for the Squires, 56-39.

It went up to 20 off Villanueva’s split charity in the remaining 5:45 of the fourth and final period, 65-45.

(Kurt Reyson).

And so, the Squires went on to finish the day with their fourth win in eight games.

—Notes on the Squires

1. They have 5-7 win-loss record in fifth spot as of this writing.
2. They finished with a 6-12 card last season.
3. None of their top shooters like Rhayniel David is in the top 10 list of shooters this season.
4. Rhayniel David averages 11 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 block.
5. Kobe Monje is no. 2 Rhayniel (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal).
6. Keifer Cordero lies in third (8.6 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assist, 1.1 steals).

(Coach Raymund Tiongco makes hand signals (left) while lady referee Agniezska Drabik is at foreground, observing a play).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perpetual Help Junior Altas: Jielo Razon and the long journey to a better finish in NCAA season 92 Junior Basketball

Seventeen year old Jielo Razon was in team B last year.

This year is his opportunity to excel for Team A of the University of Perpetual Junior Altas in season 92 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Junior Basketball Tournament.

Their game with the Letran Squires last July 25 were one of his shining moments for the Junior Altas.

(Jielo Razon).

The 11^th grader from Las Pinas provided 23 points and 10 rebounds as he led his teammates to an 88-68 smothering of the Squires.

This helped give the Junior Altas their fourth win in seven games when action ended at the FilOil-Flying V Sports center in San Juan.

The victory came before the Junior  Altas fell behind with three straight losses.

(Errol Bongay)

For me, this win is a milestone for the team, considering it has never done so since season 90 when they finished with a 4-14 win-loss slate.

For Jielo, this is a chance to show how much his game has changed.

“Lagi na po ako may extra passes sa teammates ko,” said Razon.

(Jasper Cuevas (no. 12) tries to screen Letran’s Kurt Reyson).

On that day, he has emerged as the no. 2 scoring leader of the team with his average of 19.3 points, and behind La Salle Greenhill’s Troy Mallinlin, who took the no. 1 spot.

He is also no. 3 in three-point shooting with his average of 1.9 per game, with Lyceum’s Lee Ian Salazar topping it(2.1).

Razon is now no. 7 in free throw shooting (3.4), with Mallinlin leading (5.0).

(Esvin Inliwan (5) keeps an eye on Letran’s Keifer Cordero (7)).

• Play by play

 

In their seventh game of the season, the Junior Altas got off to an intense start, after Disquitado drove in and Razon fired two charities in the 5:18.

This broke a 9-all tie in the opening quarter, and touched off a 12-0 run, handing the Junior Altas 21-9 edge.

After the Squires came within range, 34-40, off Louie Montes, the Junior Altas banked on the charities of Esvin Inliwan, Jearico Nunez and Iverson Aquita to finish with 48-34 halftime spread.

(Michael Duka (23)).

Razon’s triple and Errol Bongay’s attack underneath then gave the Junior Altas a 53-36 edge in the final 8:58 of the third.

After that win, coach Barry Tobias said it’s not time for the Junior Altas to celebrate just yet.

“We’re happy. But we’re not satisfied. Our goal is to reach the Final Four,” said Tobias.

(Justine Disquitado (8) shoots a triple past Letran’s Keifer Cordero).

Tobias feels that the Junior Altas can make the Final Four with big man John Umali around, but things didn’t go their way.

“Last year, with the makeup of the team, pang Final four sila. Going into this season, kahit marami nawala, doable naman,” remarked Tobias.

The team is now slumping in a tie for sixth place with the Letran Squires at 4-6 in the start of the second round.

(Coach Barry Tobias watches over a play).

But Tobias hopes that this will change, they will get back on their feet, and the Junior Altas will once again go after a Final Four slot.

(They have lost their last 3 games to the Lyceum Pirates, 93-117, on Aug. 1, to the Mapua Red Robins, 76-100, on Aug. 4, and to the LSGH Greenies, 80-95, last Aug. 15).

On that day, the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs got 30 points and 14 rebounds from Sam Abu Hijle as they won over the San Sebastian Stags, 74-66, to post win no. 6 in lone second.

Mallinlin fired 20 points for the Greenies in their 70-63 win over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, improving in a share of third with Junior Altas at 4-3.

The Arellano University Braves, with Carlo Abadeza hitting 31 points and 13 rebounds, smashed Lyceum, 91-77,  to stay unbeaten in the lead at 7-0.

The Mapua Red Robins, who are waiting for return of key player Michael Enriquez from injury, turned back EAC, 98-74, to move up in third at 6-1, with Bryan Samudio making 22 points and 14 rebounds.

 

 

 

 

The Lyceum Junior Pirates and McLaude Guadaña’s time to shine

The San Beda Red Cubs are the traditional favorites in the junior basketball wars of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

This year is no exception, even with the Arellano University Braves emerging as a new threat last season.

On the other hand, new squads are becoming competitive, and are also  becoming forces to reckon with.

(McLaude Guadaña (16) and teammate Generoso Cecilio jr. (17) plays defense against Karl Belgica (15)).

Unlike last year, the Braves are not alone in their quest for greatness, and a share of glory with the Red Cubs this season.

In the race for the Final Four, one of the new threats are the Lyceum Junior Pirate.

 

—  The emergence of the Junior Pirates as possible Final Four contenders this season

The  Junior Pirates needed players who can be heroes at crucial moments during a game.

(Chester Jungco (13) grabs possession in a rebound battle with  LSGH player Benedict Cruz (16)).

Most of the time, it’s Generoso Cecilio Jr. who usually bails them out of trouble.

But, on July 21, Thursday, it was 15 year old McLaude Guadaña’s turn to shine.

Guadaña, a ninth grader, topscored for 16 points with Chester Jungco when the Junior Pirates prevailed over the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, 82-77.

(Vincent Cunanan in a screen with LSGH player Haribon Espinosa).

This allowed the Junior Pirates to post their third win in six games in the 92^nd  NCAA Junior Basketball Tournament at the FilOil-Flying Sports Center in San Juan.

 

–Guadaña’s play in the last period

He is playing his third year with the Junior Pirates since McLaude was accepted into the team while still in Grade 7.

In the fourth period, the Greenies were catching up with the Junior Pirates after trailing by eight off Lee Ian Salazar’s three, 73-65, with 7:33 left.

(Team captain Teodoro Cecilio Jr. (17) leads his teammates in singing the school anthem. Also in photo are Jeff Figueroa (11), Lee Ian Salazar (14), Carly Ortiz(7),  Guadaña and Jeric Dumon (8)).

A pair of free throws from Troy Mallilin, followed by Haribon Espinosa’s three-point play in the final 4:59, allowed LSGH to move to within three, 70-73.

Guadaña’s trey in the final 4:42 was able to send LPU ahead ahead, 76-70.

But LSGH kept coming back.

(Makki Santos (10) prepares to assist teammate Lee Ian Salazar(14)  in his defense agains Joel Cagulangan).

Back-to-back hits from Haribon Espinosa and Benedict Cruz in the last 4:18 kept them within range, 74-76.

In the next instance, Guadaña was there again.

(Coach LA Mumar with members of the LPU Junior Pirates coaching staff, and players Francis Ruiz (9) and Makki Santos (10)).

His four charities in the last 23 seconds provided the Junior Pirates the right answers to LSGH shooter Joel Cagulangan’s attacks.

A charity and a drive in the last 38 seconds from Cagulangan saw the Greenies threatening, 77-78.

His last two freebies gave LPU some space, 80-77.

On the other hand, Cecilio’s gift shots at the buzzers finalized matters in the Junior Pirates’ favor.

Coach LA Mumar said this is a win that they were looking forward to.

“We really wanted this win. We wanted to get to the top 4. That’s the goal,” expressed Mumar.

— Standings ans scenarios

Because of third triumph in six games, the Junior Pirates moved up to fourth place, joining the Letran Squires and the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas with the same win-loss record.

This put the Junior Pirates in contention for a Final Four seat (when was last time).

The Arellano University Braves are in the solo lead after posting their sixth straight win last July 18 at the expense of the Mapua/Malayan Red Robins, 83-74.

Guilmer de la Torre led with 15 points and 13 rebounds in that game.

The defending San Beda Red Cubs, with Sam Abu Hijle firing 18 points, have a 5-0 slate at no. 2 following their 97-72 smashing of the Greenies.

The Red Robins are at no. 3 with their 5-1 card.

In their game with Junior Pirates, Mallinlin emerged as their best player with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Joel Cagulangan and Haribon Espinosa played supporting roles with 13 points each.

“Maganda naman ang laro namin. Pero kailangan pang mas maging maayos,” said the 15-year old Guadaña, who lives in Tagaytay City, and loves to jog there because of the cool air from the nearby Taal Lake area.

Junior Pirates coach LA Mumar said the team is playing its best so far.

This is the first that they are playing as a complete, after some players like suffered injuries during practice.

“We really need this win para makahabol sa top 4,” remarked Mumar.