Letran High School shoots for its first crown in 22 years against De La Salle Greenhills
Game Today
(San Andres Sports Complex)
2:30 p.m. — Letran vs LSGH
COLEGIO San Juan De Letran eyes its first championship in 22 years while La Salle Greenhills (LSGHS) shoots for its first crown in five years as the two face off in Game One of their best-of-three NCAA Season 98 Junior Basketball title showdown today (March 13) at the San Andres Complex.
The Squires, the No. 1 seeds, took the shorter path in booking the first ticket to the Last Dance after they hurdled the Malayan Red Robins, 83-78, while the Greenies had to practically go through the wringer before claiming the other slot.
In a battle of the second seed and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it, LSGH fell to San Beda, 83-77, to fall to No. 3.
But the Ren Ren Ritualo-mentored band of La Salle brothers courageously fought back and beat the odds by trampling the once mighty Red Cubs two in a row — 92-79 and 89-85 — to arrange an intriguing title showdown with the boys from the Muralla, Intramuros hood.
And Mr. Ritualo knows they’re in for a grind.
“It’s going to be a tough series and whoever wants it more will win this,” said Mr. Ritualo, a former PBA star and San Beda and De La Salle alumnus seeking to steer his team to the Promised Land in his first season with the Greenies.
Interestingly, LSGHS owns the distinction as the only team that has beaten Letran this season — an 87-84 win last Feb. 10 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.
The Greenies will rely anew on its bulldozing pair of Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate as well as gritty skipper Santi Romero, CJ Mesias, Rod Alian and James Ison while expected to carry the fight for the Squires are Andy Gemao, Jonathan Manalili, George Diamante, Emman Anabo, June Silorio and Jovel Baliling. — Joey Villar
