La Salle Green Hills outlasted San Beda, 89-85, and completed its remarkable series win in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament Thursday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Lefty CJ Mesias rifled in a huge three-pointer that broke the game’s final deadlock at 84-84 with 26.9 seconds left. That eventually broke the hearts of the Red Cubs.
The Greenies overcame the Red Cubs’ twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four and Chris Hubilla’s 37-point outburst to advance to the Finals for the first time since 2018.
Luis Pablo also went berserk with 25 points and 19 rebounds while Seven Gagate added 20 points, nine boards, four blocks and three assists for LSGH.
The top-ranked Squires and the Greenies open their best-of-three championship series on Monday.
LSGH is looking to reclaim the throne it last won in 2017.
James Ison atoned himself from a miscue in a previous play by forcing Hubilla a turnover and later nailed two free throws to give the Greenies a four-point cushion. He finished with 12 points, six boards, five assists and two steals.
Santi Romero was the other LSGH player in double digits with 12 points to go with two rebounds and two assists.
