Squires, Junior Altas begin title showdown

MANILA, Philippines — It will be championship experience versus hunger as Letran and University of Perpetual Help battle it out in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 99 junior basketball finals today at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Squires will come in as underdogs after finishing second to the Junior Altas and losing to the latter, 94-88, in the elimination round last March 1 but should rely on their championship experience when they clash at 9:30 a.m.
Game 2 is set Wednesday while a decider, if necessary, next week.

Letran, which downed San Sebastian, 91-77, in the Final Four Sunday, is eyeing a 14th juniors crown overall that will keep it at No. 3 in titles won behind San Beda’s 23 and Mapua’s 20.

Moses Manalili parted the red sea for the Squires in that finals berth-clinching win after he flirted with a triple-double before finishing with 19 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

The Junior Altas, fully backed by owner Dr. Tony Tamayo, are eyeing their first juniors crown.