MANILA, Philippines – San Beda College launched its bid to regain the NCAA juniors crown by outlasting San Sebastian College, 86-75, in its first game of the Season 93 juniors basketball tournament at the Letran Gym in Manila.

Peter Alfaro and Addy Velasquez had 17 and 16 points, respectively, including clutch triples in the final frame to fend off repeated rallies by the Staglets that allowed the Red Cubs to preserve the win.

Sam Abu Hijle and Germy Mahinay chipped in 16 and 10 points, while alternating to contain San Sebastian's Damie Cuntapay.

Cuntapay still tallied 25 point and 14 rebounds, but lost steam in the end of the game.

San Beda guard Evan Nelle made up for his six-point output by tallying a game-high 14 assists.

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"San Sebastian has improved a lot. We just had more gas, and our bench was deeper in the end," said San Beda coach JB Sison.

Though it was only their first game, the victory over San Sebastian still served as a much-needed boost to a San Beda team that wants to regain the juniors crown after losing in last season's Finals to the Mapua University Robins.

"We can't say this win sent a message, but our ultimate goal is to win the championship again," said Sison.

It was a physical game from the start with the referees calling a total of four technical fouls, including three on the Cubs.

The scores:

San Beda 86- Alfaro 17, Velasquez 16, Abu Hijle 16, Mahinay 10, Nelle 6, Tagala 6, Barbero 5, Etrata 3, Obenza 2, Garcia 2, Lagumen 2, Nayve 1, dela Rosa 0, Sese 0

San Sebastian 75- Cuntapay 25, Desoyo 16, Villapando 7, Baclaan 5, Pasamante 5, Aguilar 4, Timbancaya 3, Rodriguez 3, Sumoda 3, Calahat 2, Pelias 2, Umayao 0, Espritu 0

Quarter scores: 21-all; 42-36; 62-57; 86-75

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