SAN Beda survived a late scare by worthy finals opponent Mapua to fashion out a 78-65 overtime victory in the decider and notch a record sixth straight title in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Red Cubs squandered an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, before showing steely nerves in the extra session to claim the title after losing to the top-seeded Red Robins in the opener that imperiled their lofty bid.
“Kahit papaano underdogs kami (against Mapua),” Cubs coach JB Sison said. “But my players just deliver in the endgame.”
Andrei Caracut, Niko Abatayo, and Kenneth Alas starred for the Cubs, who captured a 21st juniors’ title overall, now one more than their victims.
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