By Kristel Satumbaga
Defending champion La Salle Greenhills sizzled in the crunch to turn back San Beda, 81-78, yesterday in NCAA juniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
Trailing 69-63 with 4:18 left in the game, the Junior Blazers came through with a huge run through the efforts of Inand Fornillos, Joel Cagulangan and Sydney Mosqueda to grab the lead, 76-75.
The Red Cubs never recovered from that jolt as they were held to only two points in the last two minutes.
La Salle’s win was its 13th in 15 games, assuring itself of at least a playoff for one of the twice to beat semifinal advantage.
Cagulangan led the Junior Blazers with 24 points and six rebounds while Mosqueda scattered 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Fornillos poured all his seven points in the second half.
LSGH also took advantage of San Beda’s 21 turnovers by translating it to 18 points.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help fueled its slim Final Four hopes with an 82-67 thumping of San Sebastian.
Emman Galman erupted for a career-best 30 points highlighted by four triples while Tony Oguinsanya pumped in 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Junior Altas, who improved to 6-9 at seventh place.
Perpetual’s triumph also eliminated San Sebastian from the semis race after the Staglets fell to 5-10 despite the efforts of Kean Baclaan, who had 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals.
