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Colegio de San Juan de Letran will go for jugular when it takes on College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Thursday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Game time is at 2:30 p.m. with the Squires holding a 1-0 advantage as it seeks to deliver the championship and put an end to a 22-year title drought.
Letran had to buck a slow start in Game 1 as Luis Pablo, Ethan Alian, and Seven Gagate led the Greenies early in the first half where they built a cushion by as much as 12 points. But the Squires did what they have been doing all season long, rallying late to pull off a hard-fought victory.
The Squires had a surprise breakout game from silent operator Syrex Silorio, who exploded for a career-high 27 points alongside seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block. These numbers were complemented by huge contributions from Andy Gemao and George Diamante.
The 16-year-old Gemao poured in 21 points and 14 markers while big man Diamante chipped in 12 markers and 17 boards as they moved a win away from the crown.
Despite the win in the opener, though, Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said they will have to continue with their momentum as they expect LSGH to go all out in a bid to extend the series to a Game Three.
"Kailangan lang mag-extra effort, offensively and defensively. Kailangan ibigay na 'yung lahat, 'wag na magtira kasi ang hirap 'pag may Game Three pa e. But in God's will, hopefully," Ricardo said.
("We need to give extra effort, offensive and defensively. We need to leave everything out there and not save anything for later because it will be difficult if we go to a Game Three. But in God's will, hopefully.")
Letran is aiming to finish off the Greenies and give the school the juniors title for the first time since 2001, when future basketball stars like JC Intal, RJ Jazul, and Jay-R Reyes accomplished the feat in Season 77.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
