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    Andy Gemao, Letran Squires end NCAA juniors title drought in style

    Squires end 22 title-less years with sweep of LSGH in finals
    Mar 16, 2023
    Letran Squires NCAA champion
    PHOTO: Patrick Romero

    TWENTY-TWO years on, the NCAA juniors crown returns to Intramuros.

    Top seed Letran capped a near-perfect season with a 77-61 title-clinching romp over La Salle Greenhills in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Thursday at the San Andres Sports Complex.

    From a league-best 8-1 record in the prelims, the twice-to-beat Squires only needed one game to dispatch Mapua in the semifinals en route to its first finals trip since 2009 where they dispatched Benilde in two games.

    Andy Gemao Letran vs Benilde NCAA juniors finals

    Andy Gemao, a 16-year-old Mythical Five member, was named the Finals MVP after averaging 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Intramuros-based side in the two games.

    With offers on the table to play overseas, Gemao — who has three more years of NCAA eligibility left — affirmed his commitment to remain a Squire.

    "Nag-commit na po ako para next year. Mag-stay po ako sa Letran," the newly crowned Finals MVP said.

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      Letran mentor and alumnus Allen Ricardo was also recognized as the league's Coach of the Year during Letran's title coronation.

      "Magpapalakas pa rin 'yung mga bata [and] we will continue kung ano 'yung nasimulan namin. Hindi kami hihinto kahit nakuha na namin ['yung title ngayong season]," said Ricardo.

      Members of Letran's last championship-winning juniors squad in Season 77, including JC Intal, RJ Jazul, and Jay-R Reyes, were in attendance to witness Letran complete its first seniors/ juniors title sweep since 1983.

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      Letran dictated the game from the get-go, using late 10-2 run capped by Gemao's easy scoop to the basket before halftime to open a 38-28 halftime lead. The lead ballooned to a high of 15 points, as the Squires kept LSGH at bay up to the final whistle.

      Season MVP Luis Pablo and Most Improved Player awardee Seven Gagate lead 10 graduating LSGH cagers as Letran skipper Emman Anabo is set to be the lone departure from the Squires' title-winning core.

      The scores:

      Letran 77 - Baliling 19, Manalili 16, Gemao 14, Silorio 12, Alforque 4, Hugo 4, Anabo 3, Cruz 2, Reyes 2, Diamante 1, Navarro 0, Datumalim 0, Paguiligan 0, Padilla 0, Cuajao 0.

      LSGH 61 - Pablo 20, Alian 13, Gagate 11, Mesias 10, Ison 5, Villaver 2, Romero S. 0, Gomez 0, Rivero 0, Zaragoza 0, Romero R. 0, Muyuela 0, Zamora 0, Hacuela 0.

      Quarters: 21-18; 38-28; 56-44; 77-61.

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      PHOTO: Patrick Romero
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