THE Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Squires took Game Two in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball juniors finals Saturday, 83-80.

The Squires won over the San Beda Red Cubs to force a do-or-die match-up on October 29. The Red Cubs won Game One of the series.

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Although the Letran Squires led early in the opening quarter with Jose Cabigas and Mark Cruz two-point shots, the Red Cubs kept a close distance.

Baskets courtesy of Roldan Sara and Baser Amer proved to be deadly weapons as Q1 finished with an 11-point lead for San Beda.

Letran's main man Oda Tampus, a recruit from Cebu, took a jumper shot in the second quarter as teammate Archie Inigo threw an explosive three-pointer for Letran to enjoy the lead, 34-32.

Davao native Amer ended the Red Cubs' scoring drought for five minutes in Q2 as Sara took a triple taking the ball game into the second deadlock at 37.

Glenn Khobuntin emerged in the last two minutes of the first half for the four-point advantage of the Squires, 43-39.

The Squires kept the lead when second half action began as Jeff Ongtengco made a powerful steal and completed the play with a fast break for a two. Third quarter wrapped up at 62-56.

Red Cub Arthur dela Cruz, son of former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Art, took a shot from the outside in the final quarter to trim the lead to four points.

It was an Amer and Tampus showdown in the last two minutes as the Cubs and Squires tied the score at 80.

But Inigo, all open on the outside, made a big three-pointer to end Game Two at 83-80.(Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)