MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – From battling for the last semifinals berth, the La Salle Green Hills Greenies exceeded expectations as they dethroned the Mapua University Red Robins for the NCAA Season 93 juniors’ basketball title.

The Greenies came back from a deficit as big as 14 points to eke out a 75-74 win in a do-or-die Game 3 in the finals at the Arena in San Juan Friday, November 24.

Finals Most Valuable Player Joel Cagulangan secured both of his free throws for a 75-74 Greenies lead with 37.3 seconds remaining.

LSGH’s Joshua David was fouled following a 24-second violation on Mapua but missed both of his freebies, which paved the way for a potential Red Robins game winner.

From surviving a playoff for the last semis berth to nipping the Mapua Red Robins in a do-or-die Game 3 in the finals, 75-74, the La Salle Greenhills Greenies are the #NCAASeason93 jrs. champs. @RapplerSports

(Last play for a potential Mapua game winner.) pic.twitter.com/K17IFGQdUX

— delfin dioquino (@dioquinodelfin) November 24, 2017

David compensated for his late-game blunder by tipping the ball out of bounds with 4 ticks left as Mike Enriquez bricked an attempt from the top of the key for Mapua. 

“After the buzzer sounded, it seemed like I was in a dream until everyone was hugging me and kakaiba. You cannot describe this in any words, just thankful that we’re part of this,” said Greenies coach Marvin Bienvenida. 

The Greenies had to defeat the Letran Squires for the last Final Four slot before downing the top-seed San Beda College in a classic triple overtime duel in the semifinals, 110-108.

LSGH took Game 1 of the finals, 74-68, while Mapua equalized the series with a 91-81 Game 2 victory.

Trailing 40-49 at the beginning of the third quarter, the Greenies unloaded an 11-4 run to make it a two-point game, 51-53.

Mapua still had the lead midway the payoff period until David tied the game at 68-all with a layup off a crossover.

David powered the Greenies with 27 points, 18 coming from the second half, and 6 rebounds while Cagulangan did it all after finishing with 19 points, 9 boards, 7 assists and 4 steals.

Clint Escamis paced the Red Robins with 21 points. Warren Bonifacio dominated the paint for Mapua with a 10-point and 20-rebound performance but was atrocious at the line, missing 10 of his 16 free throws.

The Scores

CSB-LSGH (75) – David 27, Cagulangan 19, Lao 8, Fornilos 6, Marcos 5, Lepalam 4, Mosqueda 3, Perez 3, Morales 0, Pedrosa 0, Sangco 0.

MAPUA (74) – Escamis 21, Lacap 13, Gozum 12, Bonifacio 10, Enriquez 8, Ramos 6, Garcia 4, Jabel 0, Dennison 0, Arches 0, Sarias 0.

Quarter Scores: 15-19, 32-44, 53-56, 75-74. 

– Rappler.com