La Salle Greenhills’ breakthrough season ended today as they fell to San Beda 69-61 in Game 3 of the NCAA Juniors basketball championship. This is the highest finish for the Greenies since returning to the league in 1998.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. The boys put up a gallant stand against a very formidable Red Cubs team in this series. Being the only team that defeated the eventual champion this season (In a nationally televised game at Araneta) is something that they can be proud of.

For a basketball team that has long been forgotten, it is nice to see that they are finally getting the media exposure as well as the attention of the Lasallian community. We salute all the players and especially to the coaching staff who did a fantastic job in turning things around for this team. With this feat, we hope to see LSGH as a consistent title contender in the seasons to come.

More Game Photos HERE

Boxscores
SBC 69 – Abarcar 18, Nazareno 10, Abatayo 8, Tongco 7, Miranda 6, Patenio 5, Toleninto 4, Bonsubre 4, Babilonia 3, Munsayac 0, Macapayag 0

LSGH 61 – Torres 25, Bonleon 9, Villaruz 8, Yap 7, Barrera 5, Vito 2, Mercado 2, Laigo 2, Ramilo 1, Sta. Clara 0, Paras 0

Quarterscores: 17-13;29-26;51-40;69-61

With the odds still against them, La Salle Greenhills fought tooth and nail against San Beda for 40 minutes. Unfortunately the Red Cubs’ end-game poise and championship experience prevailed as they won 74-73, thus spoiling what could have been another dramatic upset win by the Greenies.

With LSGH ahead by 3, San Beda was able to tie the score and even took a 2-point lead with under a minute left. On the ensuing play, Jon Villaruz, who led the Greenies with 20 points, tied the game at 73 with 40 seconds remaining.

Still tied at 73-all, Red Cub Daryl Nazareno was sent to the foul line with 8 seconds left. Nazareno managed only to split his freethrows but that proved to be enough cushion for them as the Greenies turned the ball over in their last offensive play.

Game 3 of this series will be on Thursday, 2PM at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena. San Beda only needs one more win to clinch their 19th NCAA Juniors title.

For the Greenies, it’s not over yet. They have shown in the past 2 games that they can hang tough against the heavily-favored Red Cubs. Expect them to bring it all out on Thursday and force a deciding match.

More Game Photos HERE

Boxscores:

SBC 74 — Abarcar 21, Tolentino 19, Nazareno 16, Abatayo 8, Tongco 6, Bonsubre 4, Patenio 0, Munsayac 0, Miranda 0, Macapayag 0, Dela Costa 0, Babilonia 0.

LSGH 73 — Villaruz 20, Bonleon 13, Torres 10, Barrera 8, Paras 8, Ramilo 4, Marcial 4, Yap 4, Vito 2, Sta. Clara 0, Laigo 0.

Quarterscores: 18-19;33-38;61-58;74-73

We now have a series!

La Salle Greenhills pulled off a shocking 85-82 victory over San Beda today to take Game 1 of the NCAA juniors basketball finals. The win gave the Red Cubs its first taste of defeat this season and at the same time reducing this title series to a best-of-three affair.

Jon Villaruz and Thomas Torres topscored for the Greenies with 22 and 14 points respectively but it was the stellar play of Andre Paras down the stretch that proved to be the difference in this ballgame. The son of PBA legend Benjie Paras scored 11 of his 13 markers in the final period, including a crucial “and-one” play that gave LSGH a 2-point lead with over a minute left.

The Greenies had several opportunities to close out the match from the foul line but muffed all of their 6 attempts. Luckily, the team stepped it up on defense as they forced the Red Cubs to several turnovers in the closing seconds to escape with the win.

Game 2 will be on Monday, Oct 31 2PM at the Fil-Oil Flying-V Arena.

More Game Photos HERE

Boxscores

LSGH 85 — Villaruz 22, Torres 14, Paras 13, Bonleon 9, Vito 8, Sta. Clara 7, Laigo 7, Barrera 3, Ramilo 2, Yap 0, Mercado 0, Marcial 0.

SBC 82 — Patenio 19, Abatayo 16, Nazareno 11, Bonsubre 10, Abarcar 7, Tolentino 6, Tongco 4, Munsayac 4, Babilonia 3, Dela Costa 2, Miranda 0, Macapayag 0.

Quarterscores: 20-10;41-38;63-62;85-82

For the first time in over a quarter of a century, La Salle Greenhills is back in the NCAA basketball finals. The last time LSGH figured in the finals was in 78-79 when DLSU was still in the NCAA.

Behind a 35-point effort from guard Thomas Torres, the Greenies disposed of the Letran Squires 101-91 and will face San Beda for the juniors division championship starting Monday. Mario Bonleon and Jon Villaruz added 21 and 17 points respectively for LSGH , who went on a 32– 19 surge in the third period to take control of the game.

As a member of the NCAA from 1968 to 1980 (with DLSU) and from 1998 to present (with CSB), the basketball championship has eluded LSGH despite being a perennial contender for the overall title. The last NCAA juniors basketball title won by a La Salle school was back in 1955 when DLSU still had a high school department in Taft Ave.

It will be a tall order for the team if they are to pull off the upset. By sweeping the eliminations, the Red Cubs have a thrice-to-beat-advantage and they only need to win twice to win their 3rd straight title.

As difficult it may be, don’t count out the Greenies just yet.  This has already been an amazing season for LSGH basketball and we can only expect more great things to come.

More game photos HERE

Box scores:

LSGH 101—Torres 35, Bonleon 21, Villaruz 17, Vito 8, Ramilo 7, Paras 4, Marcial 4, Yap 2, Sy 2, Barrera 1, Laigo 0, Sta. Clara 0.

CSJL 91—Luib 22, Serafica 19, Nampatac 19, Villanueva 14, Galleon 13, Catipay 4, Licyayo 0, Alas 0.

Quarterscores: 23-24;46-42;78-61;101-91