San Beda and San Sebastian drew strength from their respective main men as the two hurdled their respective Final Four assignments Wednesday to set up an interesting title duel in the juniors' division of the 86th NCAA Basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Leading MVP candidate Baser Amer came one assist shy of a triple-double effort with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to power the Cubs to a 92-80 win over the Letran Squires and into the best-of-three finale starting next week.
Jumao-as, who is slightly trailing Amer in the MVP derby, for his part, unleashed a career best 38-point effort as the Staglets walloped the Perpetual Help Altalettes, 87-76, in the other Final Four duel to clinch the last finals berth.
San Beda and San Sebastian, which finished the top two seeds after the double-round elimination with 14-2 and 12-4 records, respectively, thus forged their first championship encounter since clashing three years ago with the latter emerging as champion.
"It's a good feeling to be back in the finals," said San Beda coach Brit Reroma, who took over this season following the retirement of multi-titled coach Ato Badolato.
"But the job is not yet done, we just hope to finish the job," he added.
San Sebastian mentor Raymond Valenzona, for his part, was all praises on the talented Jumao-as.
"He's (Juamo-as) just our go-to-guy, he's the heart and soul of this team," he said.
Adam Abatayo scattered 19 points, big boy Al Gotladera bullied his way to 17 points and 13 rebounds and Von Chavez chipped in 13 points to provide some help to the hardworking Amer, who is playing his last season.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Squires, who appeared spent after turning back Jose Rizal and St. Benilde in a pair of knockout games to clinch the fourth and last spot.
The scores:
First Game (Jrs)
San Sebastian 87 - Jumao-as 38, Vergara 14, Escalambre 10, Pascual 9, Pante 7, Vitug 5, Magno 2, Macasaet 2, Balid 0, Sapalo 0, Gianan 0, Santos 0.
Perpetual Help 76 - Alolino 27, Inigo 15, Sadiwa 13, Negranza 9, Bitoy 6, Garcia 4, Brito 2, Pascual 0, Palisoc 0, Diaz 0.
Quarterscores: 12-18; 34-33; 61-55; 87-76.
Second Game (Jrs)
San Beda 92 - Amer 22, Abatayo 19, Chavez 13, Do. Nazareno 9, Da. Nazareno 8, Javier 4, Abarcar 0, Miranda 0, Manalo 0, Bonsubre 0, Colmenar 0, Malapitan 0, Munsayac 0, Babilonia 0.
Letran 80 - Cruz 23, Nambatac 21, Cudal 10, Serafica 8, Luib 7, Villanueva 7, Capinding 2, Mendoza 2, Salas 0, Catipay 0, Alas 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19; 48-38; 71-59; 92-80. (PNA)
