NCAA Season 93 Junior basketball : Evan Nelle steps up, San Beda Red Cubs win

09 July 2017,

Sunday,

Letran College gym

3:45 p.m.

On the San Beda Red Cubs’ first game of the season, point guard Evan Nelle felt frustrated in the third quarter.

 

His shots were not going in.

 

And this was keeping the team from taking a big lead in the start of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament at the almost dimly lit Letran College gymnasium in Intramuros.

(Evan Nelle dribbling his way towards the San Beda side of the court.)

But when he found  people who were open and unguarded  in the last period, the Red Cubs went on to pull off an 86-75 triumph over a dangerous San Sebastian Staglets.

“My shots weren’t going in. So what I planned to do was pass the ball to my teammates who are on defense,” said Nelle.

It was in the last five minutes when Nelle found many opportunities.

(Sam Abu Hijle under tight guarding from Staglet Damie Cuntapay).

Scoring only six points, and dishing out an above-average 14 assists for the Red Cubs, he scored on a drive, and then assisted Peter Alfaro during a fastbreak.

These two crucial plays fuelled the Red Cubs’ decisive scoring run.

This time around, the San Beda Red Cubs did not have an easy time with the San Sebastian Staglets.

(Eduardo Velasquez jr. guarding his man underneath the basket).

But, with veteran guard Evan Nelle taking charge and finding the open man in the last period, the Red Cubs pulled off an 86-75 triumph over the Staglets yesterday at the Letran College gymnasium in Intramuros.

At that time,  the Stags were threatening, 69-72.

With Nelle and Alfaro joining up for the two plays, the Red Cubs then moved away on a 12-0 blast.

(Big man Germy Mahinay tries to escape a double team).

Nelle scored only six points, and did an above-average 14 assists for the Red Cubs in the start of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament.

He scored on a drive, and then assisted Peter Alfaro during a fastbreak, and this two crucial plays fuelled the Red Cubs’ decisive scoring run in the last five minutes.

With the Stags threatening, 69-72, the Red Cubs then moved away on a 12-0 blast.

(Peter Alfaro going for a three-point shot).

Alfaro showed the way with 17 points for the Red Cubs, Addie Velasquez added Sam Abu Hijle added 16.

“Expected namin ito. I’m preparing the boys because  every game, hindi na madali,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.

The Red Cubs, who lost the crown to the Mapua Red Robins last year, held their ground as the Staglets rallied repeatedly.

The Staglets, the reigning Fr. Martin Cup Summer cagefest champions, were led by Damie Cuntapay with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and stayed close for the last time, 69-72.

That was after Lewis Pasamante stole off Nelle and assisted Cuntapay for an undergoal stab.

The loss spoiled the debut of new Staglets coach Mel Banua, who took over Franco Atienza after season 92 ended last year.

 

The Rise of the Mapua Red Robins as champions and the last dance of the San Beda Red Cubs (part 2)

The San Beda Red Cubs were champions from 2009 to 2015.

In Game 3 of the 92^nd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball finals, the team was  put in an unfamiliar situation.

They hardly experienced the situation of being left behind by a big margin in the first period.

(Brian Lacap (8) in a rebound play with San Beda’s Sam Abu Hijle, with Bryan Samudio(13) ready to provide assistance)

Coach JB Sison admitted that the players  felt pressured and frustrated at having to play catch in the first three quarters.

What the Red Robins did to them in the first period was something they will never forget.

“I was expecting a closer game because this is a deciding game. Pero, the whole game, we were trying to catch up,” said Sison after the game.

(Clint Escamis (10) waits for a pass from teammate following a loose ball situation inside the paint).

Carlo Obenza led the Red Cubs with 14 points while Addie Velasquez also had 14, and Mahinay added 11.

The Red Cubs tried to be in control in the opening minutes of the game.

Sam Abu Hijle scored off a defensive rebound by Evan Nelle in the last 9:12 to tie the match for the first time, 2-all.

(Bryan Samudio (13) goes for a drive past Sam Abu Hijle (16)).

He struck again following a turnover by Jasper Salenga, and the Red Cubs took the lead, 4-2,

The Red Robins turned the ball over again, but misses by Peter Alfaro and Abu Hijle allowed the Red Robins to force a 4-all tie off Clint Escamis’ attack.

After Rob Nayve turned the ball over for third time for San Beda, the Red Robins began making their moves to move away.

(Juaqui Garcia (17) is harassed by San Beda’s Robi Nayve (7)).

Their first chance came when Brian Lacap hit a three, 7-4, off Clint Escamis’ assist, with 7:23 to go

The Red Cubs still managed to stay within range, 6-7, off Nayve’s basket, with 6:50.

But, Escamis had an answer, and Mapua stayed up by three, 9-6.

(Josh Tagala (5) of San Beda takes possession of the ball while Mapua teammates Jasper Salenga (middle) and Warren Bonifacio (15) prepare to intercept).

They had a chance to forced a deadlock, but Peter Alfaro missed a triple, and Garcia scored off Bonifacio’s rebound in the next play, 11-6.

Then, Obenza came in for Alfaro and turned the ball over.

Garcia turned this into a golden opportunity for the Red Robins, his drive with 5:37 left moving the Red Robins further ahead, 13-6.

(rebound play from (16) Sam Abu Hijle and Clint Escamis (10) and with Mapua player Warren Bonifacio (15)).

Mahinay tried to keep it close with his inside play that yield a basket and a charity, 13-9, of Escamis’ foul.

Then, three-point play by Salenga off Obenza foul with 4:45 to go kept MHSS up, 16-9.

Samudio then forced Prince Etrata to a dribbing error, and scored off it in the final 3:52, 18-9.

(San Beda’s Carlo Obenza goes for a drive past two Mapua defenders).

They later took an 11-point lead. 22-11, off Escamis’ two freebies after he stole off Prince Etrata and got fouled by Obenza in the last 1:31.

Etrata turned the ball over again, and Lacap made his mark in the last 1:05, and Mapua’s edge went up by 13, 24-11, and moments before the first period ended.

(Eduardo Velasquez).

(To be continued).

 

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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Season 92 Junior Basketball: Pre-season thoughts from the Mapua Red Robins and Mike Enriquez (part 1)

 

03, June, 2016

Friday,

7:30 p.m.

FilOil-Flying V Sports Center,

San Juan

 

As he walked along the dugouts of the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center on June 3, 2016, Mike Enriquez reflected and talked about his thoughts.

“My game is Ok naman. Iniisip namin kung paano mag improve ang team,” said Enriquez minutes after the Red Robins won over the Far Eastern University, 83-80, in the junior division of the 2016 FilOil-Flying V pre-season basketball tournament.

The team, which is once again coached by Randy Alcantara,  has been playing without three players who have graduated.

(Mike Enriquez)

And they are getting for war in the coming season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball wars, which will commence on June 27.

The team is feeling the absence of mainstays David Velvez,  Eugene Camillosa and Justine Serrano, who has since moved over to the Mapua Cardinals.

“Dami nawala kaya naging tagilid ang team. May mga pumalit na makakatulong,” observed Mike, who was last year’s Finals MVP in place of Ricci Rivero.

(new Red Robin cager Will Gozum fights for the loose ball with FEU main man Jack Gloria)

Personally, Enriquez said his leadership on the court as a point guard,  and his shooting improved following their 79-85 loss to the Arellano University Braves in the second semifinal playoffs for a second finals slot.

 

Their win last June 3 allowed them to share the same 2-2 win-loss record, which they shared with the La Salle Greenhills.

(Battle of the bigs with Sherwin Concepcion (8) and FEU’s Jack Gloria).

They did not make it to the semifinals with the triple tie.

 

In that game, Romuel Junsay led with 20 points, but it was Enriquez who scored crucial points with his total of 7.

(FEU’s LJ Gonzales tries to dribble his way pasy Mapua’s Romuel Junsay).

On the Baby Tams’ side, Jack Gloria led with 17 points, and Jay Gonzales provided 16.

The Baby Tams were nursing a 79-78 lead in the final minute when Gonzalez scored one of  two free throws in the last 21.8 seconds.

 (Mapua’s Jasper Salenga (11) and Warren Bonifacion (15) tries to screen a pass by FEU’s Rey Boc (12) to LJ Gonzales (14), with Mapua’s Eric Andaya (6) coming in position for a triple team).

FEU had a chance to keep the upperhand. But Royce Alforque’s five second violation on his inbound to Kenji Roman resulted in a turnover.

 

Enriquez got to score two winning charities with 4.5 seconds left off Roman’s foul.

 

Time ran out on FEU as Roman tried to score a triple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Season 91: The San Beda Red Cubs and their record-setting 7-peat; Evan Nelle proves worth

(Members of the San Beda Red Cubs enjoy a moment as 7-peat champions).

It’s a record.

This is what an undermanned and overachieving San Beda Red Cubs did last Oct. 29, Thursday in Game 3.

(Coach JB Sison gets a victory ride for their 7-peat).

For holding their ground in the third quarter and outplaying the Arellano University Braves, 70-61, they got themselves in the league history books in a big way.

They clinched a record-setting seventh straight junior title in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association  (NCAA) basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

(Germy Mahinay).

“Hindi naman namin goal iyun eh,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison, who said sweeping their 21-game assignment throughout the season was never in their minds.

Instead, he asked the boys to focus on winning the championship.

(Evan Nelle receives his Final MVP trophy from mancom rep Mari Lacson).

Evan Nelle is not even in the mythical five during the elimination round.

But Nelle’s performance in Game 1, and in Game 3 when he tallied a gamehigh 13 points merited him a finals MVP award.

(Eduardo Velasquez in a rebound play with Ira Bataller).

He drained three of five triples in the four minutes to help the Red Cubs move away.

His big game allowed the Red Cubs to pull off their second consecutive triumph in their finals series with the Braves.

“I did not expect it naman eh. I was trying to control the game with my teammates. Pass the ball properly. Suwerte lang,” said Nelle.

(Coach JB Sison with the coach of the year trophy).

The Arellano Braves fought it out right from the start.

On the other hand, the Red Cubs were short on manpower, with two injured wingmen not seeing action.

(Carlo Abadeza(8) in a rebound battle with Sam Abhuijle).

In Game 2, John Lagumen hurt his hamstring, and Alfaro sprained his ankle.

As the game got under way, Resty Fornis hit five points and combined for nine with Nino Tamayo as the Braves took charge, 17-14, in the first period.

(Albert Bordeos).

After Robi Nayve scored on a drive to put San Beda on top, Guilmer de la Torre struck twice with his drives, ending the half with the Braves in the lead, 32-30.

De la Torre shot 15 points, and he drained one of two threes in the last 8:59.

(Evan Nelle)

This allowed the Braves to move ahead by eight, 38-30.

But the Red Cubs went on to turn the tables on the Braves in the next instance.

(Resty Fornis takes possession of the ball).

A change in defense, from man to zone, did the trick.

During the transition, Addie Velasquez drove in and and hit a trey, and Nelle unleashed another triple during an 11-0 blast who allowed them to overtake the Braves, 47-43.

(Guilmer de la Torre in a one-on-one with Robi Nayve).

Prince Etrata, who made eight points, went for a jumper, and Albert Bordeos stole off de la Torre and drove in in the last eight minutes, handing San Beda a 58-51  lead.

De la Torre replied with a triple which kept Arellano in the thick of the fight, 54-58.

(Prince Etrata).

After Mahinay’s jumper with 5:50, allowed San Beda to maintain a 60-55 lead, they forced Arellano to four turnovers in their effort to protect their six-point lead.

Then, Nelle unloaded a trey, and San Beda gain an eight-point spread, 63-55, in the final 4:12.

Nelle’s final triple and Mahinay’s layup with 3:42 left gave the Red Cubs a 65-54 edge in the last period.

(Lars Sunga in one-on-one with Lars Sunga).

“I did not expect it naman. I was trying to control the game with teammates, pass the ball properly, suerte lang,” said Nelle.

Guilmer de la Torre powered the Braves with 15 points while Lars Sunga and Nino Tamayo added 13 and 12 points.

(Nino Tamayo tries to get past Josh Tagala).

Retired coach Edmundo Badolato, before he quit, steered the Red Cubs to their first crown in 2009 before Britt Reroma added three from 2010 to 2012.

The scores:

San Beda 70- Mahinay 15, Nelle 13, Velasquez 12, Etrata 8, Bordeos 8, Abuhijle 6, Tagala 4, Nayve 2, de la Rosa 2, Barbero 0.

Arellano 61—de la Torre 15, Sunga 13, Tamayo 12, Abadeza 9, Fornis 5, Danas 3, Espiritu 2, Bataller 2, Velasco 0, Calapine 0.

Quarterscores: 14-17, 30-32, 52-32, 70-61.

NCAA Season 91: The San Beda Red Cubs stop Arellano Braves in Game 1; Go 19-0, and a win closer to history

(Evan Nelle gets a handshake from coach JB Sison).

Something  sweet now awaits  the San Beda Red Cubs after they moved closer to a record setting seventh straight crown last Friday Oct. 23.

They are now closer than they think to the crown after the Red Cubs repulsed  the Arellano University Braves, 76-68, in Game 1 of the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)  junior division basketball finals Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

(Evan Nelle dribbling the ball).

In this game, Evan Nelle’s on-and-off game was good again.

He struck with 16 points while Albert Bordeos made 12 for the Mendiola dribblers that afternoon.

(Coach JB Sison).

Their contributions  moved them a win closer to their seventh straight title.

No school team, varsity or in high school, has achieved such  a feat  in league history.

(Addie Velasquez gets possession of the ball).

The Red Cubs now a good headstart in the showdown with the Braves.

If the Braves will bounce back, they wll need to beat San Beda thrice to wrest the crown.

(A loose situation. Carlo Abadeza (blue), Pedro Alfaro (15), and Alberto Bordeos (14) seek possession of the loose ball).

When they  played the Braves in Game 1, the Red Cubs were coming off a three-week layoff.

They quickly took charge with the running game.

(Germy Mahinay gains possession of the ball).

As they dictated the pace, they began establishing an 18-13 lead in the first period.

“Ganun talaga ang style of play namin. We won two whole rounds with it, so bakit naming babaguhin,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison on their fullcourt pressing game.

(Guilmer de la Torre looking for an opening).

Bordeos and Robi Nayve combined for eight points to help the Red Cubs take a five-point edge in the first 10 minutes.

In the second period, a triple from Pedro Alfaro gave them a 32-25 edge.

(John Lagumen gets screened by Guilmer de la Torre).

Nelle’s trey with 5:01 remaining in the third saw San Beda moving away, 49-41.

“Hindi ko inisip iyung offense. Nung first half, puro turnover ako

(Robi Nayve tries to get past the screen of Guilmer de la Torre).

They finally established a 10-point, 64-55 lead in the last 5:30 off Sam Abuhijle’s drive.

“We’re not expecting a sweep. We’ll just take one game at a time,” said Sison. Kaya gusto ko lang bumawi sa defense,” said the 5’9 Evan.

The Red Cubs have a twice-to-beat incentive over the Braves.

This is what they are enjoying  after entering the finals on an 18-sweep of the eliminations.

So, the moment of truth is on the Red Cubs.

The scores:

San Beda 76– Nelle 1, Bordeos 12, Nayve 9, Lagumen 7, Velasquez 6, Mahinay 6, Alfaro 6, Tagala 5, de la Rosa 5, Abuhijle 4, Etrata 0.

Arellano 68– de la Torre 22, Sunga 14, Abadeza 10, Tamayo 7, Espiritu 5, Bataller 5, Velasco 3, Danas 2, Calapine 0, Dularte 0, Fornis 0.

Quarterscores: 18-13, 37-36, 59-52, 76-68.

NCAA Season 91: The San Beda Red Cubs go 17-0, and Adie Velasquez’s amazing, game-winning triple

Eduardo “Adie” Velasquez was in foul trouble going into the fourth quarter.

That’s why he was playing limited minutes for the San Beda Red Cubs when they got past the Arellano University Braves, 89-76, last Friday, Oct. 1 at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

But, having four fouls in the last 30.4 seconds did not stop Adie from scoring the game winning basket.

(Adie Velasquez gets down on the floor, emotional and speechless after the games.Teammates try to get him on his feet).

He found himself open  after Sam Abuhuijle rebounded the ball off a miss Lars Sunga.

So he ran towards the other side of the court, and popped a quick three from the top of the key.

(a fan unintentionally puts up a 17-0 sign upside down).

The fans, who are mostly their classmates from Taytay roared as his basket went in. (Note: Velasquez scored only 5 points during 19 minutes he played, and has only 3 rebounds).

This broke a 76-all deadlock, and sent the Red Cubs on their way for their 17^th straight victory in the 91^st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament.

(fan realizes his mistake. Puts the sign in proper position).

The Braves had a chance to tie the game. But Lars Sunga got into a travelling error while getting hounded by Velasquez in the ensuing play.

Sunga then got into an unsportsmanlike foul as he tried to stop John Lagumen, who split his charity before time expired.

With the win, the fans brought out pictures and signboards celebrating the team’s closesness to an 18-game sweep of the elimination round.

(Fan with 17-0 sign takes a photo up with the Red Cubs).

The last time this happened was in season 89, when the Red Cubs beat the Braves in their final game of the elimination, 96-56.

One more win in their 6 p.m. match with the Letran Squires on Tuesday, Oct. 5 will have the Red Cubs finishing with a sweep, and earning an automatic finals berth.

(a rebound play with Joshua Tagala(5) and Lars Sunga(4) and with Sam Abuhijle in the background).

If the Red Cubs beat the Squires, they will advance outright to the finals.

They will have a thrice-to-beat advantage, and a 1-0 edge over their opponent, and their rival will need to beat them thrice.

(Lars Sunga fights for possession with Joshua Tagala(5) and Sam Abuhijle).

• Adie Velasquez and his winning shot

He was emotional and speechless after he made that shot.

(Sam Abuhijle (16) goes for a layup past Lars Sunga (4)).

After the game, he became overwhelmed and wept in the middle of the court.

But the overflowing pizza inside the dugout lifted up his spirits and his appetite even more.

(Jayson Danas(left) tries to shoot past Evan Nelle(10)).

“Sabi ko, heto na. Kapag mintis ito, wala. Wala rin kasi masyadong sumasabay at open pa ako. Kaya pagbato ko shoot. Sobrang grateful talaga ako,” said Adie before he went to the dugout for a pizza party with teammates, and Abuhijle the birthday celebrant.

Adie is the son of former University of the East Warrior Eddie Velasquez, who is a teammate of Bong Ravena back in college. They saw action together in the UAAP.

• A seasonhigh performance for Sam Abuhijle

(John Lagumen).

Sam Abuhijle celebrated his 18^th birthday with a bang.

He scored a season high 23 points and 13 rebounds.

(Alberto Bordeos(14) tries to drive past Lars Sunga (4)).

The last time he scored his best was against the Lyceum Junior Pirates following a 90-79 triumph.

He had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

(The Arellano University Braves after the game).

• The 18-0 sweep, according to coach JB Sison

For coach JB Sison, their mission is not yet finished.

(Carlo Abadeza (8) in a rebound play).

They still have to deal with the Squires.

“One more. Sayang ang 17-0 kapag hindi nakuha ang sweep,” said Sison.

(Pedro Alfaro(15) tries to get in  the way of Carlo Abadeza(8)).

Sison said the Braves were dominant under the boards all throughout their game.

The Braves, led by Carlo Abadeza with 24 points and 10 rebounds, ruled the boards 47 rebounds.

Abuhijle worked the boards almost all by himself, and in Germy Mahinay’s absence, and the Red Cubs had a total of 39 rebounds.

Mahinay had to serve a one-game suspension. He had an unsportsmanlike foul he incurred during their game with the Mapua Red Robins.

They held on to the lead, 76-74, in the last 1:43, following Abadeza’s three-point play off Pedro Alfaro’s foul.

In the next play, Abuhijle forced a 76-all tie after he forced his way underneath off Alfaro’s pass.

• What the loss means to the Braves

The Braves drew 19 points  and eight rebounds from Sunga while Marlon Espiritu gave 13.

With their 11-6 win-loss record, they are tied in third with La Salle Greenhills.

They are still in contention for a Final Four seat.

Their fate will be known this Wednesday when they meet with the EAC-ICA Brigadiers, and the Greenies clash with the Red Robins.

The scores:

San Beda 80—Abuhijle 23, Bordeos 13, Lagumen 11, Nelle 10, Alfaro 8, Tagala 5, Velasquez 5, de la Rosa 5, Etrata 0, Bonalos 0.

Arellano 76- Abadeza 24, Sunga 19, Espiritu 13, Tamayo 7, Bataller 5, de la Torre 4, Calapine 2, Danas 2, Dularte 0, Fornis 0.

Quarterscores: 22-15, 42-41, 62-65, 80-76.

NCAA Season 91: (Part 2) it’s 14-0 for the San Beda Red Cubs; who’s gonna stop them

Whose gonna stop the San Beda Red Cubs?

The Lyceum Junior Pirates tried last Thursday, Sept. 17.

(Members of the San Beda Red Cubs share a few laughs and smiles after their game with the Lyceum Junior Pirates).

But they could not.

Three of five key players from the Red Cubs were on fire that afternoon.

(Red Cubs Joshua Tagala(5) chasing down Junior Altas player Jasper Coloma (10) in a previous game).

While two second unit players were stepping up providing the much needed support.

Because of this, the Red Cubs went on top post an awesome 90-79 stomping of the Junior Pirates.

(Sam Abuhujle taking a free throw shot).

I was amazed when I saw the stats of this game, and what the Red Cubs did in posting their 14^th straight win in season 91 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

• San Beda Red Cubs 90, Lyceum Junior Pirates 79

(Junior Pirate Generoso Cecilio).

This time, it was Joshua Tagala to come up with best ever performance.

The 10^th grader from Taytay, Rizal, a red-blooded Bedista since grade school, came up with 18 points, his highest in four games.

(Junior Pirate Vincent Cunanan).

The last time he had highest output was 11 when the Red Cubs the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, 82-70, for their 11^th straight victory last Aug. 28.

Both he and Sam Abuhijle had 18 points against the Junior Pirates.

(Junior Pirate McLaude Guadana drives past Eduardo Velasquez (left) and John Lagumen(right).

“Na-inspire po ako. Big game kasi ito eh,” said Tagala.

(Note: Tagala usually averages 8.21 points, 5.14 rebounds, and 2.21 assists. This makes him the fifth best performer in the Red Cubs’ roster).

(Coach JB Sison giving out instructions).

The Junior Pirates, who were led by Leeian Salazar, Mclaude Guadana, Chester Jungco and Vincent, fought hard to get past the Red Cubs.

They took the lead early in the first period, with two charities from Generoso Cecilio leading to a 6-0 run which gave them a 15-14 edge with 34.7 seconds to go.

(Makki Santos (left) tries to snatch the ball away from a double teamed Sam Abuhijle(16), while Chester Jungco (13) keeps watch).

The Red Cubs managed to grab the upperhand following a triple from Ry de la Rosa and a followup by Germy Mahinay before the period ended, 19-15.

The Junior Pirates continued their attack in the second period, with a triple from Salazar, a drive from Jungco and Guadana’s penetration putting them ahead, 22-19.

(Evan Nelle(10) prepares to stop (Junior Pirate) Makki Santos from taking the ball away from Sam Abuhijle).

But the Red Cubs snatched back the lead, 24-19, behind the triple and layup of Prince Etrata and John Lagumen.

The Junior Pirates just would not give up. They have seemed to have learned how to keep up with the Red Cubs’s run-and-gun game(at least until midway in the second period).

(Cecilio Generoso (17) is double teamed by Eduardo Velasquez (left) and Sam Abuhijle(right)).

They tied the count, 28-all, on triple, and that was the last time the Junior Pirates were able to do that.

The Red Cubs’ tiring pressing started to take effect on the Junior Pirates’ endurance.

They moved away on an 18-2 blast which Abuhijle initiated with a pair of attacks, and a split charity inside the paint.

Alberto Bordeus sent them them further ahead with his triple, 36-28, and their lead ballooned to 16, 46-30, at halftime off Evan Nelle’s charities.

In the third period, they widened their lead to 22, and off Abuhijle’s trey, 55-33.

It went up to 24, 59-35, in the last 4:36, off Sam’s drive.

-Significance of the win

The Red Cubs remained on course for an outright finals berth, just like last year.

As they remained unbeaten, the Red Cubs have emerged as the no. 1 team in offense with an average of 90.93. They are no. 8 in defense with their norm of 68.21 ppg.

And in their last five games, this is not the Red Cubs’ biggest winning margin in a game.

It was against the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas when they beat them, 109-83, which was by a 26-point margin.

On the other hand, their last 4 games will be a challenge for the Red Cubs. I expect it so, since tougher opponents are expected to show up.

And this is where we will find out how tough the Red Cubs have become over the last three months.

As for the Junior Pirates, they remain in fourth place with their 9-6 win-loss record, and they are in contention for the last Final Four seat with the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, who have the same record.

The scores:

San Beda 90—Tagala 18, Abuhijle 18, Velasquez 10, Nelle 10, Bordeus 7, Alfaro 7, Lagumen 6, Etrata 5, Mahinay 4, de la Rosa 3, Bonalos 2, Nayve 0.

LPU 79—Salazar 16, Guadana 16, Jungco 15, Cunanan 14, Cecilio 9, Udal 4, Camacho 3, Santos 2, Wong 0, Umpad 0.

Quarterscores: 19-15, 46-30, 65-50, 90-79.

NCAA Season 91: (Part 1) When the San Beda Red Cubs swept the first round; a review

When will I see the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs play at full strength?

In their last six game games before facing the Arellano University Braves, the starters of the Red Cubs have been used sparingly.

(Coach JB Sison watches as the Red Cubs go into offensive mode).

The second unit players were given the job of taking over after the first quarter.

This was coach JB Sison’s way of deepening the team’s bench.

(a rebound play involving Red Cub Joshua Tagala (5) and Arellano’s Carlo Abadeza(8)).

By the time they were facing the Braves, I was not seeing much of guys like Josh Tagala, Eduardo Velasquez, Ryan Nelle, Alberto Bordeus, Sam Abuhijle, Pedro Alfa and John Lagumen on the floor.

-San Beda Red Cubs 86, Arellano 81

(Sam Abuhijle (16) screens Ira Bataller(17) while Evan Nelle (10) prepares for a possible interception play).

It was a close contest for the Red Cubs, one of two I’ve seen that the team has ever experienced in the first round(the other one was probably against the EAC-ICA Brigadiers).

This is what happened when the Red Cubs got a scary encounter with the Arellano University Braves and won,  86-81, last Tuesday, Aug. 18, in the 91^st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

(Pedro Alfaro (15) in action).

Evan Nelle, one of the team’s starting players, got a rally going.

His triple was one of two he scored that morning.

(Arellano’s Guillmer de la Torre(7) goes for a drive past Germy Mahinay of the Red Cubs(12)).

It came in the start of the second half, and with the Red Cubs slightly ahead, 39-37.

When Nelle fired that trey, things began rolling for the Red Cubs.

(Arellano’s Jayson Danas (14) gets harassed by Red Cub Joshua Tagala(5)).

It touched off a 7-0 run, with Pedro Alfaro scoring two free throws in the play, and team skipper Sam Abuhijle grabbing a fastbreaking before  scoring a layup in the last 8:31.

Abuhijle used to be a football player earlier in grade school, but he is now proving himself as a great center with his height.

(Evan Nelle(10), Sam Abuhijle (16) and Joshua Tagala (5) screens a dribbling Guilmer de la Torre)).

His basket saw the Red Cubs moving away, 46-39.

The Braves proved tough to handle at this point.

(Eduardo Velasquez (6) and teammate John Lagumen(19) goes after Marlon Espiritu (13) while Carlo Abadeza tries to give him a screen).

The Red Cubs were able to take a 53-45 lead off Alfaro triple with 6:40.

Ira Bataller hit back with a triple, and Lars Sunga drove in with 5:09 left, putting the Braves within range, 50-53.

Then,  an 8-2 run in the fourth quarter kept the Red Cubs out of reach.

Alfaro got their offense going with a four-point play and they took a 73-62 spread.

Another three-pointer from Alfaro in the final six minutes gave them a 76-63 cushion.

Coach JB said he got worried when the Braves kept on coming back despite all the defense they were putting up under the boards.

“Last few minutes dun sila  kumapit sa rebounding. Dami missed sa block ups,” said Sison.

In the end the Chiefs, led by Guilmer de la Torre, were among four main men who not only scoring in double digits, they were also controlling the boards.

First, there was de le Torre with 19 points and eight boards, then Carlo Abadeza with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Jayson Danas had 12 points and eight rebounds, followed by Lars Sunga with 11 rebounds and nine boards.

All in all, the Chiefs tallied 52 rebounds, with the Red Cubs behind with 42.

Alfaro knocked in a gamehigh 23 points for the Red Cubs, while Abuhijle had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The scores:

San Beda 86—Alfaro 23, Abuhijle 18, Nelle 11, Velasquez 9, Bordeus 8, Lagumen 6, Tagala 5, Mahinay 4, de la Rosa 2, Nayve 0, Etrata 0.

Arellano 81—de la Torre 29, Abadeza 17, Danas 12, Sunga 11, Espiritu 9, Bataller 7, Tamayo 3, Dularte 2, Velasco 1, Fornis 0, Canete 0.

Quarterscores: 17-21, 39-37, 67-60, 86-80.