BEHIND the trio of June Silorio, Andy Gemao, and George Diamante, Letran frustrated La Salle Green Hills and moved within a win of the Promised Land yesterday.
The Squires battled back from an early 12-point deficit and edged the Greenies 85-81 in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals battle for the 98th NCAA juniors’ basketball tournament title at the San Andres Sports Complex.
June Silorio wound up with a career-high 27 points, on top of seven rebounds and three assists for Letran, while Gemao chipped in 21 markers, 14 boards, five dimes, and three steals.
Diamante also shone with a double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds as the Squires took the crucial head start in the race-to-2 series that came on the heels of their 83-78 triumph over Mapua last week in their Final Four duel.
La Salle Green Hills failed to sustain the grit and fiery form it showed in an 89-85 decision over San Beda High School in their knockout semifinals tiff last Thursday.
The Squires will try to end a 22-year title drought in Game 2 on Thursday at the same venue.
A deciding third match, if necessary, will be played next Monday also at the Manila-based arena.
“Mayroon pa tayong unfinished business. (We) just (have to) stay composed. Iyon ang pinaka-importante,” Letran rookie coach Allen Ricardo said. “Iyong championship series, na-experience nila ang Game 1, then after ng viewing, mare-realize nila what went wrong, what went right, what went good.”
“Going to Game 2, just stay composed, that’s it,” he added.
The Squires fell 41-44 at the half but took a 65-64 buffer going into the payoff period.
A Gemao breakaway dunk broke the game’s last standoff at 72-all at the 6:37 mark and ignited Letran’s vicious 13-4 blitz that took the fight out of the Greenies.
Luis Pablo paced La Salle Green Hills with 22 points, 19 rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Seven Gagate also had a double-double of 12 markers and 13 caroms.
