NCAA Season 92 Junior Basketball: The Rise of the Mapua Red Robins as champions, the last dance of the SBC Red Cubs(part 1)

People celebrated last Friday, Oct. 14, when the Mapua/Malayan High School of Science (MHSS) Red Robins won their first title in 16 years in the 92^nd National Collegiate Athletic Association Junior Basketball finals.

First they cheered the Red Robins for having the guts stand up against a traditional powerhouse like the San Beda Red Cubs.

Second, there were celebrations over the return of the San Beda Red Lions as collegiate champions.

(Members of the Mapua Red Robins shout for joy in closing minutes of the fourth quarter).

(Then, there were other celebrations. This time, its the scribes who quietly wrote their stories from the comfort of their airconditioned and wifi-ready press rooms. Their party was more about the end of the basketball season. And I went with them to Antipolo to join their party with Spin.ph writer Reuben Terrado and told them about the big upset that took place at the Mall of Asia Arena that afternoon. As the beer and the tequila flowed, the unconnected question of Val Sotto’s status popped (more on this adventure with members of the Collegiate Press Corps later in part 2)).

On that fateful day of the finals, the Red Robins came early to practice their shooting.

And so did the Red Cubs, who were wary of the serious game faces that members of the opposing team were putting on at courtside, and so the game started.

(The team and their supporters sing the school anthem in victory at the end of the finals for the first time in 16 years).

This time around, it was the Red Robins who gave the Red Cubs one big fight when gametime finally came in Game 3 of their finals showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In this game, it was not only  the big plays of  shooting guard Clint Escamis in the second half which allowed them Red Robs to coast to a 19-point win over the  Red Cubs, 83-64.

(The Red Cubs size up their situation after the game).

In all, there were six teammates who came forward and scored in double digits, and played way beyond their season averages.

Aside from Clint, these guys included newbies Brian Lacap and Brian Samudio.

And then, there’s Juaqui Garcia, who reinforced veterans Jasper Salenga, Warren Bonifacio and Romuel Junsay.

PLAY BY PLAY

(Red Robin Brian Lacap (8) fights his way out of double by Red Cubs Robi Nayve (7) and Peter Alfaro (15) while Prince Etrata (9) prepares to support).

FIRST QUARTER

In the first period, the Red Cubs first took a 4-2 lead following Samuel Abu Hijle drive off  Salenga’s turnover in the last 8:39.

Then the Red Robins replied with 9-2 run behind Escamis driving layup and  Lacap’s triple in the remaining 7:30.

(Clint Escamis (10) leaps ahead of an attempting Germy Mahinay(12)).

Their efforts eventually saw the Red Robins moving by seven.

Back-to-back baskets from  Garcia in the final 5:37 handed the Red Lions a 13-6 advantage.

“Alam ko ang mga bata. Isang taon silang nag-sakripisyo. Pinaghirapan nila ito,” said Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara.

(Will Gozum(19) shares the ball with MVP Bryan Samudio (13))

SECOND QUARTER

In the second period,  Escamis’ inside play of Lacap’s assist pushed Mapua ahead, 26-13, in the last 6:41.

Lacap’s split charity in the last 4:48 handed Mapua a 33-17 spread.

(Juaqui Garcia(17) is screened by Carlo Obenza (3)).

“Lahat dinaanan namin. Pati sa injuries. Kulang kami sa lineup,” added  Alcantara as the Red Robins adjusted to the absence of Mike Enriquez and big man Sherwin Concepcion.

Enriquez sat it out after Game 2 after he re-fractured his left ankle, and so did Concepcion.

Concepcion  hurt his left shoulder late in the second round.

(Jasper Salenga (11) gets a screen from Addie Velasquez (6) while Warren Bonifacio (15) looks on).

THIRD PERIOD

In the third period, the 6’3 Lacap struck twice, first with a triple, as he and big man Warren Bonifacio took charge during  9-0 blast in the start of the second half.

This handed the Red Robins a 23-point edge, 47-24, with 6:36 remaining.

(Warren Boniafacio (15) in a rebound play with Josh Tagala (5) and Jasper Salenga (11). Robi Nayve (7) in the background).

.“Nandito sila para ipanalo ang team sa San Beda. Nakabawi na kami from 2014,” said Alcantara.

It will be recalled that the Red Robins missed the crown in 2014 when they lost in overtime to the Red Cubs.

The Red Cubs drew 14 points from Cebuano recruit Carlo Obenza.

(Robi Nayve (7) gets stalked by Romuel Junsay (7))

He and Mahinay led the tally that helped the Red Cubs move away from their 23-point deficit.

The 10-1 spurt that followed cut the Red Robins lead down to 14, 34-48.

But a foul by Mahinay, allowed Bonifacio to move it back up by 16, 50-34, with 3:24 remaining.

(Carlo Obenza drives past to defending Red Robins).

(for more on the best of three finals series of the season 90, it can be viewed on the following links:

https://pektuscorner.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/varsity-sports-updates-ncaa-season-90-game-day-review-sbc-red-cubs-win-6th-straight-crown-takes-game-3-78-65ot-caracut-scores-big-as-mit-goes-down-fighting/;

https://pektuscorner.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/varsity-sports-updates-ncaa-season-90-game-day-review-diputado-caracut-step-as-red-cubs-tie-junior-basketball-finals-series-sbc-76-mhss-68/;

https://pektuscorner.wordpress.com/2014/10/21/varsity-sports-updates-ncaa-season-90-game-day-review-bonifacio-explodes-in-game-1-mapua-red-robins-strikes-down-sbc-red-cubs-84-75/;

These links describe how the season 90 NCAA junior finals went).

FOURTH PERIOD

(Eduardo Velasquez Jr. (6) drives past Jasper Salenga (11)).

Samudio earned his stripes as the finals MVP in the last 10 minutes.

First he scored on an assist by Escamis.

Then, he converted a split charity shot off Obenza’s foul, and it came during a 7-0 run that kept the Red Robins up by 16, 59-43.

It was his triple and Salenga’s two charities off Obenza’s foul that saw the Red Robins’ edge swell to 19 points with 2:26 to go.

Their advantage move further up to 24 points when Garcia knocked in a triple, and Samudio struck off Romuel Junsay’s assist in the final 1:32.

(When I talked to to coach Randy would recall the events of 2014 when the game was so closer, that they almost won it. But Noah Lugo did not sink a pair of attempts when the buzzer sounded in regulation).

“Alam naming kung paano sila lamangan, at manalo sa kanila,” added Alcantara.

The way they reached the finals was different back then(To be continued).

NCAA Season 92 Junior Basketball: Peter Alfaro’s freebie ties finals series for San Beda Red Cubs

Pedro Alfaro III was getting tired.

Also known as Peter among his friends, he’s been playing for 18 minutes in Game 2 of the junior finals.

That afternoon, his efforts was among those that proved to be among the turning points in  the 92^nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball wars.

(Peter Alfaro tries to drive past Mapua defender Brian Samudio).

And that was on Oct. 11, Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

His time on the floor was  beyond his average of 14.7 minutes in the 18 games that he has seen action throughout the season.

But, things turned around when top Mapua Red Robins scorer Romuel Junsay fouled him with 6.5 seconds to go.

(The Red Lions celebrate their Game 2 victory).

The 5’11 shooting guard from Zamboanga has a 51.39 percent clip from his field goals.

His 18 of 29 free throw shooting is 62.1 percent overall for this season.

He first made the sign of the cross, and shot one of two charity attempts in the next instant.

(Members of the Mapua Red Robins are in an emotional moment after the game).

This lifted the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs to an 81-78 triumph over the Mapua Red Robins.

This put them in a deciding Game Three in their best-of-three series this Friday at 2 p.m.

“Medyo may fatigue na ako. Pero, kaya pa,” said the 17-year old Alfaro minutes after the game.

(Carlo Obenza of SanBeda (3) guards Mapua’s Romuel Junsay, while Evan Nelle(10) watches).

In that game, rookie Carlo Obenza hit a gamehigh 19 points for the Red Cubs.

“Sobrang muntikan na. Buti na lang, naka-recover kami sa seven-point deficit,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.

The Red Cubs, who rallied from seven points down in the last five minutes, forced a 77-all deadlock in the last 1:46.

(Robi Nayve (7) of San Beda guards a dribbling Jeonel Ramos of the Mapua Red Robins), while Evan Nelle (10) runs behind).

This was after Germy Mahinay drove past Jasper Salenga, and off Josh Tagala’s pass.

But the Red Robins still managed to stay in front for the last time.

They took a one-point lead, 78-77, off Salenga’s freebie after Mahinay fouled him in the last 1:12.

(Germy Mahinay in a rebound play with Mapua’s Will Gozum).

Obenza then pushed the Red Cubs ahead.

His  drive off his steal from Brian Lacap put them up, 79-78.

And as the Red Robins fell into foul trouble, Tagala and Alfaro sank their gift shots in the remaining 8.4 and 6.5 seconds.

(Evan Nelle reacts after he pass the ball past his defender, Brian Samudio).

Romuel Junsay shot a gamehigh 23 points, and tried to help Will Gozum make a winning shot in thend.

But Gozum’s triple did not go in when the buzzer sounded.

Junsay banged in eight points in the second period.

(Josh Tagala (5) barrels his way past Mapua’s Jasper Salenga).

This helped the Red Robins widened an 18-16 lead with a 10-0 run that it sparked.

The 5’11 Junsay capped that run with a triple in the last 2:22.

This handed the Red Robins an 11-point spread, 39-28.

Sam Abu Hijle (16) and Addie Velasquez(6) gets in front of Mapua ballhandler Brian Samudio) while teammate Brian Lacap (behind)prepares for anything

The Robins, who took the series opener, 83-64, Thursday.

They appeared headed at grabbing the title when the Red Robins led 41-33 at the half.

NCAA Season 92 Junior Basketball: The on-and-off games of Evan Nelle and the 10-game winning streak of the San Beda Red Cubs

All season long, Evan Nelle struggled with his shooting range.

But his range remained the same.

It was always off. And he knows it.

(Evan Nelle in a defensive play).

But, still, Evan made the most out of what he can do for the team, even if he is in his worst performance in two years.

On Aug. 29, this did not matter to the 18-year old Nelle, who left La Salle-Zobel five years ago because he was too thin and too frail-looking to be accepted by the varsity team.

He  managed to shoot important baskets when the San Beda Red Cubs got past the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 93-81 at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.

(Germy Mahinay (right) sings the school anthem after the game with teammates Robi Nayve (7), Ry de la Rosa, Luke Sese and Sam Abu Hijle (16)).

This sent the Red Cubs to their 12^th win in 13 games, and they remained tied for the lead with the Arellano University Braves.

The victory was counted as win no. 5 of a 10-game winning streak that the Red Cubs were pulling off in the second round.

On that day, Guilmer de la Torre fired 30 points for the Arellano Braves in their 107-77 win over the Letran Squires.

(Josh Tagala).

Troy Mallinlin shot 17 points as the La Salle Greenhills Greenies won over San Sebastian, 61-51, and hiked their record to 10-3 in third.

Benedict Buno made 12 points as Jose Rizal University prevailed over EAC-ICA, 88-65.

(Ongoing Scenario 1: Last Oct. 4, the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs took control early, and held their ground in the fourth, and put away the Arellano University Braves, 102-93, in their junior division rubber match. Point guards Robi Nayve and Mark Lagumen shot 17 and 16 points for the Red Cubs, who advanced to the finals for an eighth straight season, and they will meet the Mapua Red Robins in a best-of-three affair. Lagumen unloaded nine points in the first period to lead to 25-4 spread in the last 1:26).

(Jielo Razon (left) chases down Sam Abu Hijle).

(Ongoing Scenario 2:  Last Oct. 6: the Mapua Red Robins turned to the big plays of shooting guard Clint Escamis in the second half to outplay the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs, 83-64,  in Game 1 of the junior division finals.The 5’8 Escamis, playing in the absence of ailing teammate Mike Enriquez, tallied 12 points as he helped the Red Cubs move closer to their first title in 16 years. It was his triple off Bryan Samudio’s pass in the last 25 seconds which allowed the Red Cubs to move away, 59-53, near the end of their third period.

• San Beda Red Cubs 93, Perpetual Help Junior Altas 81

Things were going great for the Red Cubs in the last 6:17 of the game.

They were enjoying an 82-71 advantage.

(Eduardo Velasquez Jr.).

Germy Mahinay scored off an assist from Addie Velasquez to make this happen.

That was when the Junior Altas made their final push to stay in the fight.

Jielo Razon, who led the Junior Altas with 24 points and seven rebounds, started a  10-4 run with his split charities off Velasquez foul.

(San Beda Coach JB Sison and members of the coaching staff).

When the rally ended, Razon converted four charities off Carlo Obenza’s fouls in the last 2:53.

And, the Junior Altas moved dangerously within reach of the Red Cubs, 81-86.

This is when coach JB Sison made defensive adjustments.

(Rob Mendoza).

This involved Nelle, Prince Etrata and Joshua, who were doing some trapping and harassing on the ball handler in the closing minutes of the game.

First, the three forced Jasper Cuevas to turn the ball over on a passing error.

Then Germy Mahinay sank a putback off Obenza’s pass, 88-81.

(Justine Disquitado(12) tries to dribble his way past Prince Etrata(9) while Errol Bongay prepares to assist).

When Razon missed a forced shot, Nelle was there to assist Tagala for a basket, and the Red Cubs moved further ahead, 90-81.

A turnover followed after Junior Altas cager Iverson Aquiatan bungled a trey.

Nelle’s trey with 35 ticks left gave then Red Cubs a 12-point lead, and this was the final count of the game.

The Junior Altas tried to come closer. But Razon missed a three-pointer, and Nelle kept the ball in the Red Cubs’ possession with his rebound play.

• Nelle speaks up

When it was over, Nelle ended up scoring 10 points,  five rebounds, five assists and two steals in the 25 minutes that he saw action.

It was Germy Mahinay who led with 12 points, while Josh Tagala and Ry de la Rosa added 11.

Nelle performed above his season 92, 13-game  average of  8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals.

“Masama ang laro. Seven turnovers.  Pero, sa last 3 minutes, yung defense namin, naka-stop naman. Na-rattle ang kalaban. Yun ang gusto ni coach. Bawi lang. Babawi ako,” said Nelle as he emerged from the dugout.

Coach JB Sison noted that team had 21 turnovers that almost took the fight out of the Red Cubs in this game.

He also noted that the Junior Altas have improved in their game, and that the trio of Nelle, Etrata and Tagala proved to be the team’s saving grace in terms of defense in the end.

“Nakaagaw kami sa rotation nila,” said Sison.

• Notes:

1. Nelle had a better average in Season 91 of 8.89 points, 2.39 rebounds, 3.67 assists, and a 40% field percentage.
2. Nelle’s overall 2016 average after 13 games is down from last year, with his 35.1 field goal percentage.
3. This season, he normed 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals.
4. Team player ranking in terms of shooting percentage: (1) Sam Abu Hijle 55.6; (2) Germy Mahinay 53.2; (3) Lian Barbero 50; (4) Josh Tagala 47.7; (5) Peter Alfaro 47.6; (6) Robi Nayve 42.4.
5. Win no. 5 for the Red Cubs, comes right before they were to play against the Mapua Red Robins, their eventual championship opponent.

NCAA Season 92 Junior Basketball:Warren Bonifacio rises up, the Mapua/Malayan Red Robins move up

 

(Notes: Spin.ph scribe Reuben Terrado happily shared to me that the Mapua Red Robins are a tough team this season and encouraged me to discuss more of their game).

Warren Bonifacio’s game seems to be getting better when  the Mapua/Malayan High School of Science Red Robins were in the middle of a six-game winning run.

And that was midway in the second round of the 92^nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball wars.

(Warren Bonifacio watches a play in progress).

As one of the veteran players of the Mapua Red Robins, the 6’4 Bonifacio had a chance to prove his worth during a crucial moment of a game.

It took place in their 92-82 win over the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas last Aug. 25.

The Letran Squires were in a turning point in their campaign.

(Romuel Junsay).

Any setback at this stage of the eliminations was already putting their effort to reach the Final Four in trouble.

(Ongoing scenario: Last Sept. 30, the Malayan High School of Science  Red Robins are back in the finals.The second seeded Red Robins relied on a decisive stops in the fourth period to move out of range, and turn back the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, 88-81, in their Final Four showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.Transferee Will Gozum, who took over underneath after big man Sherwin Concepcion got sidelined by a left shoulder injury, made a gamehigh 16 points, including two charities that move them out of range, 79-71, in the last 4:10.In the other Final Four clash, point guard Jayson Danas scored 10 points, including three crucial free throws in the closing seconds to help the Arellano University Braves escape with an 89-84 triumph over the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs. Juaquin Garcia and Romuel Junsay added 12 for the Red Robins, with Garcia leading a 6-0 run that broke a 63-all tie in the start of the last period with a jumper).

 

• Mapua 92, Letran 82

This was win no. 2 of their six-game winning streak.

(Sherwin Concepcion (left)).

This gave them a 10-2 win-loss record in second place behind the Arellano University Braves and the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs.

Both the Braves and the Red Cubs are locked in a two-way tie for the lead in this stage of the elimination round.

In another junior game of the day, the La Salle Greenhills Greenies prevailed over the Letran Squires, 71-69, to move to third place at 9-3.

(Will Gozum).

The Altas were led by Jielo Razon and Errol Bongay, who both had 18 points. Bongay had a double-double with 13 rebounds.

 

• Bonifacio steps up

 

They were enjoying a 15-point lead, 83-68, with 6:52 to go in the fourth after Clint Escamis scored on a split free throw off Bongay’s foul.

The Junior Altas launched a 14-0 uprising, starting with Bongay’s putback, and after a couple of triples from Rob Mendoza and Razon, they came close, 82-87.

(Brian Lacap).

This was where Bonifacio came into the picture.

Bonifacio, who is from San Simon, Pampanga, averages 5.2 points 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks after nine games in the first round.

He struck from underneath with a layup off Bryan Samudio’s pass, and then a three-point play in the last 1:18.

(Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara).

The Red Robins went on to post a 91-82 edge.

After that, the Junior Altas were not able to sustain their rally, with Razon and Bongay misfiring on their outside shots.

As Mike Enriquez finalized the count with his split charity, the Junior Altas went on to end the game with a 4-8 slate.

“Sabi sa akin ni coach(Randy Alcantara), kumpiyansa lang. Pag libre, tira na,” stated Bonifacio, who is in 11^th grade, and is now the team captain.

 

-The best of Warren Bonifacio

Bonifacio is on his third year with the team, and is the youngest of four siblings.

He is ranked ninth among his teammates in playing averages, with Romuel Junsay leading with 18.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

Among his best games were was against the Squires on Aug 9, when Bonifacio delivered 12 points and seven rebounds.

His other best game was when he also had 12 points, and made it a double-double with 15 rebounds during their 81-79 overtime win over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers last Aug. 15.

 

(Here’s a link to my other story featuring Warren Bonifacio

https://pektuscorner.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/ncaa-season-92-junior-basketball-the-mapua-red-robins-and-the-best-games-of-warren-bonifacio/).