San Beda University salvaged a podium finish after a 74-59 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball battle for third place on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Red Cubs led the entire game but had to fend off a late Letran rally to take home the bronze while the defending champion Squires settled for a fourth-place outing.
Graduating Randaile Medroso saved his best for last after pouring 24 points, including six in the last 1:49 of the fourth, together with three rebounds, one assist, and one block.
Andrei Ugaddan chipped in 12 markers while another graduating player in MJ Vailoces chipped in 10 points, 12 rebounda, and five dimes.
San Beda, who lost to Perpetual in the Final Four, led by as many as 16 but the Squires managed to trim it to single-digits after Daniel Padilla buried a corner triple off a Justin Cargo dish, 57-63.
But Medroso was unstoppable down low, unleashing back-to-back layups to give the Red Cubs a 67-57 cushion. He then nailed the dagger layup for a 69-59 lead as Ugaddan sank a pair of free throws to seal it.
Letran banked on the tandem of seniors Syrex Silorio and Daniel Padilla, who both tallied eight markers as they closed out their high school run.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
