LETRAN SQUIRES HOLD OFF ARELLANO TO CLOSE IN ON NCAA TITLE

By: Miguel Marco

Nathan Egea and Daryl Valdeavilla starred as the Strong Group-backed Colegio de San Juan de Letran Squires drew first blood in the NCAA Season 101 Junior Basketball Finals, edging Arellano University, 85-79, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

What looked like a comfortable 12-point halftime lead for the Squires nearly slipped away, as the Braves stormed back in the third quarter and flipped the scoreboard in their favor, taking a lead of up to five points.

Egea delivered 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Valdeavilla matched his scoring with 19 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists.

“Basketball is a game of runs, and we expected na ganoon ang mapapakita ng Arellano. It just so happened, of course, may mga lapses every game. So hindi naman laging perfect,” said Letran head coach Andrew Estrella. “But the good thing is, nag-time out na ako, nag-huddle at nagpasok ng mga bench. Nasustain lang namin and composure was improved sa scenario na iyon.”

Down by 12 at halftime, the Braves fired a 17-0 run in the third quarter, powered by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Sean Franco, to grab a 55-50 lead midway through the period. Both teams traded baskets for the rest of the quarter, with Arellano entering the final period ahead, 63-60.

The Squires reclaimed the lead late in the fourth, holding a 78-76 edge before Egea drilled a clutch three-pointer with 1:47 left, giving Letran an 81-76 advantage. A trip to the free-throw line by Franco kept Arellano within striking distance, but a missed potential game-tying triple by Chris Dy proved decisive. Egea and Justin Cargo calmly converted their ensuing free throws to seal the victory.