YUKIEN Andrada came up big in the endgame as San Beda pulled off a 82-79 win over CSB-La Salle Greenhills on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 95 juniors basketball tournament Final Four at Cuneta Astrodome.
The graduating forward made the big plays late, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds to propel the Red Cubs back to the finals for the first time since 2016.
"Siyempre, thankful kay God kasi matagal-tagal nang di nakakarating ng Finals. Tuloy pa rin ang dasal na tuloy-tuloy na hanggang championship," said coach Manu Inigo.
Andrada completed the and-one with 35.2 seconds remaining to put San Beda ahead, 79-76, before rejecting Kobe Palencia's drive on the other end. He then extended the lead to five, 81-76, with a pair of freebies with 20.4 on the clock.
Justine Sanchez and Josiah Alcantara muffed their freebies to keep the door wide open for LSGH, leading to Miguel Reyes burying a right corner three to cut the deficit to two, 81-79, with 3.6 ticks left.
Time, however, just wasn't on the Greenies' side as Tony Ynot split his charities with 2.6 seconds remaining, locking up the victory for the Red Cubs.
Rhayyan Amsali added 12 points and 17 rebounds, including two crucial offensive boards in the final minute, while Sanchez had 10 points, 17 boards and two dimes.
"Sila yung mga beterano sa team kaya dapat talaga magpakita silang di sila nape-pressure sa endgame," Inigo said of Andrada, Amsali and Sanchez.
Prince Alao scored 10 points and three assists, and Ynot got eight points and three dimes in the win.
JC Macalalag topscored for LSGH with 23 points, six assists and two blocks as it played without leading scorer RC Calimag.
Jan Manansala had 18 points, 13 boards and three rejections, while graduating guard Kobe Palencia got 13 points, five rebounds and five assists in the semis exit.
This will be the first time in three years that the Greenies won't be in the championship series.
The scores:
San Beda 82 - Andrada 23, Amsali 12, Sanchez 10, Alao 10, Ynot 8, Alcantara 5, Delfino 5, Valencia 4, Llarena 3, Cabanero 2, Oftana 0.
CSB-LSGH 79 - Macalalag 23, Manansala 18, Palencia 13, Quiambao 10, Reyes 8, Arguelles 4, Estil 2, Panlilio 1, Arciaga 0, Dimaunahan 0, Torrijos 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15; 35-31; 59-55; 82-79.
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