Red Cubs Repulse Late Bullpups Rally to Win Palaro Gold

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The San Beda Red Cubs reestablished their identity as the best high school team in the country as they, representing CALABARZON, defeated the NU Bullpups-led Team NCR, 86-80, in the championship game of the Palarong Pambansa Secondary Boys Basketball Tournament at the San Luis Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The Red Cubs, however, earned the win in a hard manner as the Bullpups crawled back from 22 points down to come to as close as two, 78-80, on back-to-back three pointers with less than two minutes left.

NCR had a huge chance of completing the comeback after CALABARZON lost the ball, but Cyprian Castillo missed a go-ahead three-point attempt.

Marc Diputado once again proved to be efficient in clutch moments as he drove hard to the rim in the ensuing play for a lay-in to bring the lead back to four, 82-78, with 32.8 seconds left.

Castillo got fouled in the next play and made two free throws to bring the lead back to two, but J.R. Gumtang put it back to four with his own two charities.


NCR's Jarell Lim and Ice Dandan missed desperation heaves from beyond the arc, and Franz Abuda sealed the win for San Beda-CALABARZON, which won for the first time since 2011.

Diputado led the Red Cubs with 19 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Abuda, son of former PBA defensive specialist Freddie, added seven points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.

"Defense wins championships," Franz said when asked on how he, known for his offense, turned to the other side of basketball in the championship game. He added, "Being the captain, Coach JB (Sison) told me to lead the team, and I did a good job."

Sison, on the other hand, said that NCR, which he thought lacked practice because of having non-NU players, may have been pressured after building the 22-point lead. He added that they just stayed in the game when the Bullpups fought back.

However, the Red Cubs coach mulled at the possibility of leaving early after the awarding ceremonies to prepare for the FilOil Flying V Premier Cup game against the Ateneo Blue Eaglets on Wednesday.

Justin Serrano made 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Bullpups, who will face the Letran Squires next in another FilOil Cup game on Friday.

In the repechage match, erstwhile winner Sacred Heart-Central Visayas subdued Hua Siong-Western Visayas, 84-78, for the bronze medal.

Giovanni Lagoyo led the Magis Eagles with 19 points. Leo Bayotas top-scored for Hua Siong with 19 points.

Meanwhile, Ilocos won the inaugural 3x3 tournament by beating Northern Mindanao yesterday in the final.

At the Laguna State Polytechnic University Athletic Field, MIMAROPA made a successful defense of its secondary boys soccer title after blanking NCR, 2-0, in the final.

 
Box Scores:

First Game

Central Visayas 84-Lagoyo 19, Igna 13, Jaboneta 13, Huang 11, Ecarma 10, Navarro 4, Mantua 4, Galinato 3, Ortega 3, Ong 2, Mayol 2

Western Visayas 78-Bayotas 19, Parohinog 13, Defensor 12, Bano 11, Calvo 8, Larupay 7, Penuela 4, Pretta 2, Magdato 2



Second Game

CALABARZON 86-Diputado 19, Decapia 18, Gumtang 13, Furaque 10, De Villeres 8, Abuda 7, Abatayo 6, Framil 3, Bordeos 2

NCR 80-Serrano 13, Lugo 12, Lim 11, Cauilan 10, Go 9, Mosqueda 9, Battad 8, Castillo 6, Claveria 2, Lopena 0, Ejercito 0, Dandan 0

Quarterscores: 25-20, 55-42, 70-58, 86-80


Contributed by Ivan Stewart Saldajeno 

Ivan Stewart Saldajeno is a sportswriter for Sporty Guy (http://sportyguy.info) and Dugout.PH (http://dugoutph.weebly.com) He hopes to get his bachelor's degree in mathematics soon.