De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde - La Salle Green Hills was not among the favorites to enter the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball finals. But that's how Benilde-LSGH exactly likes it as it marched to the finals in an emphatic fashion.
The Greenies dethroned and denied Colegio de San Juan de Letran of its three-peat dream, erasing the latter's twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four to advance to the championship round opposite top seed Perpetual.
"Talagang tinrabaho namin ‘to lahat. Mas gusto naming underdog kami kasi minamaliit talaga kami kahit sa school namin, duda na lahat. Ginawa lang namin ‘yon na motivation," Quines said.
"Inspired talaga kami na kailangan naming matalo ang Letran para ma-prove namin sa school na kaya namin."
That underdog mentality has always been ingrained in LSGH.
Two years ago, Benilde-LSGH dethroned the then defending champion San Beda University in Season 98 Final Four where the Red Cubs were holding a twice-to-beat advantage as well. They went on cruising to the finals against eventual champion Letran.
Against San Beda that time, the Greenies banked on height with Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate leading the way. This time around, they relied on their heart.
"I give it all to the boys. I was suspended in Game 1 and even ‘yung top scorer namin ay suspended, but the boys stepped up. My assistants stepped up. The whole community was there supporting so I really am proud," LSGH head coach Renren Ritualo said.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
