By Jerome Lagunzad
San Beda achieved in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championships what it failed to do in the NCAA juniors cage championship.
JM Lagumen emerged as the unlikely hero as San Beda outlasted Chiang Kai Shek College, 66-65, on Thursday and reigned supreme in the 6th PSSBC Dickies Underwear Cup at the SGS Stadium in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.
Down by as many as 11 points in the third period, the Red Cubs regathered their acts in the final canto before Lagumen capped their fightback with a dagger three from the left corner with five-tenths of a second left that broke the Blue Dragons’ heart.
“You can see in my players how they really wanted to win this one. We were down by double figures in the third but they just kept on coming back, kept trusting one another that they can pull through,” said San Beda coach JB Sison.
In completing a five-game sweep of the annual tourney sponsored by Hapee Toothpaste, Blackwater, Freego Jeans, Poly Gloss, Rain or Shine, Che Lu Bar & Grill and MEC Computers, the Red Cubs took home P80,000 in cash plus and a trophy while becoming the first team to win two titles after ruling the 2014 edition.
Playmaker Evan Nelle finished with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists in the winner-take-all showdown on his way to clinching the tournament MVP honors presented by league chairman Rudy Yu of Dickies Underwear.
Joining the 5-foot-11 Nelle in the Mythical Team were CKSC duo of John Galinato and Jason Celis, Rhyann Amsali of National University and University of Visayas’ Jancork Cabahug.
In the Battle for Third, the National University Bullpups beat the University of Visayas Baby Lancers, 87-83.
San Beda big man Germy Mahinay had 12 points and as many rebounds before going down with an ankle injury in the final minute but it was Lagumen who was eventually named the Finals MVP with his heroic showing.
Galinato waxed hot anew with 24 points while three other teammates added at least nine markers each but CKSC, the 2015 titleholder, suffered a defensive breakdown in the waning moments that cost it a painful setback.
Gunner Terrence Fortea had 18 points, including five consecutive points in the final period to help NU take control of the nip-and-tuck affair.
First Game
NU 87 – Fortea 18, Oczon 14, Gonzales 12, Amsali 10, Pangilinan 9, Manalang 8, Malonzo 6, Puray 3, Pradella 3, Coyoca 2, Javillonar 2, Felicida 0, Dayrit 0.
UV 83 – Yerro 21, Rosete 14, Laurente 13, Cabahug 10, Paraldo 10, Omandac 5, Amistoso 3, Magsalang 3, Jelliangao 2, Maata 2, Cometa 0, Brillo 0, Tano 0.
Quarters: 21-22; 46-45; 63-69; 87-83.
Second Game
San Beda 66 – Nelle 13, Mahinay 12, Abuhijleh 10, Nayve 9, Lagumen 7, Alfaro III 6, Etrata 5, Tagala 2, Talampas 2, Dela Rosa 0.
CKSC 65 – Galinato 24, Antiporda 9, Asuncion 9, Celis 9, Luciano 7, Agbong 4, Lim 3, Ramirez 0, Flores 0, Bañez 0.
Quarters: 14-20, 32-32, 45-50, 66-65.
