Colegio de San Juan de Letran and College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills both aim to inch closer to the NCAA Season 98 high school basketball crown as they face each other in Game 1 of the juniors basketball finals on Monday.
Letran booked a slot in the finals first as they, carrying a twice-to-beat advantage, took down a strong Mapua high school squad in the Final Four last March 6.
The Squires are making their comeback to the Finals stage for the first time in 14 years and they will aim to vie for the crown they last held back in the 2001-02 season.
"The last championship ng Letran was 2001 with JC Intal, Jay-R Reyes, RJ Jazul. So it's about time to make another history," said Squires coach Allen Ricardo after their Final Four win against Mapua. "Nandyan na eh, may piyesa na tayo."
("The last championship of Letran was in 2001 with players like JC Intal, Jay-R Reyes, RJ Jazul. So it's about time we make history again... We're right there, we have the pieces.")
LSGH, meanwhile, had a harder route as it played through a virtual best-of-three with San Beda high school. The two squads faced off first for the twice-to-beat bonus, with the Red Cubs eventually claiming the advantage. However, it was the Greenies that emerged as the finalists as they took down San Beda twice in the semis.
Greenies head coach Renren Ritualo acknowledged the talent of Letran and said they just have to be ready come this afternoon.
"Mentally and physically, we have to be ready for Letran. We know they are the number 1 in the NCAA right now and they are waiting for us in the finals. We don't have a choice but to be ready against Letran," Ritualo said on Thursday after winning against San Beda.
The Mandaluyong-based squad last appeared in the Finals in 2018, and won the title in 2017 with players such as JD Cagulangan, Joshua David, Jacob Lao, and Ladis Lepalam.
During the elimination round, Letran eked out a win against LSGH, 79-73.
The best-of-three finals begin this afternoon, 2:30 p.m., at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
