MANILA, Philippines – The San Beda Red Cubs used a massive second half attack to overpower a listless Letran side, 107-74, to kick off its quest for an eight-peat in the NCAA Season 92 juniors basketball tournament Monday at the Arena in San Juan.

Leading by just single digits in the first half, 53-44, the Cubs went on a scoring spree as Joshua Tagala, Even Nelle, and Carlo Obienza took turns in taking the fight out of the Squires to lead their team to the lopsided triumph.

Tagala had a game-high 19 points and seven steals, Nelle added 17 points, eight assists, and six steals, while Obienza added 16 points, including three triples.

San Beda head coach JB Sison, however, is not rushing his players even as they have their sights set on an eighth consecutive title.

"We're not pressuring ourselves that much," he said. "Our goal is to win one game at a time, and see what happens next."

The Red Cubs defeated Arellano University in the Finals last season, though the Junior Chiefs denied them a perfect campaign with a 72-68 win in Game 2.

The seven-peat is the longest in the history of the league and San Beda now has a chance to extend it to another season.

READ: Letran shows heart, San Beda still comes out on top

Earlier, Malayan-Mapua crushed Jose Rizal University, 86-64, to earn a share of the early lead.

Romuel Junsay had 15 points, while Bryan Samudo, Warrne Bonifacio, Brian Lacap and Sherwin Concepcion all scored in double figures for the Randy Alcantara-mentored Red Robins.

The scores:

First game

MAPUA 86 – Junsay 15, Samudio 14, Bonifacio 11, Concepcion 10, Lacap 10, Escamis 9, Salenga 7, Gozum 5, Dagta 2, Garcia 2, Andaya 1, Arcangel 0, Caso 0.

JRU 64 – Tolentino 13, Baliad 8, Buno 7, Camua 7, Guzman 7, Berwite 6, Sicat 5, Sta. Maria 5, Torre 4, Caballero 2, Agustin 0, J. Guzman 0, Principe 0.

Quarters: 22-11, 46-33, 67-57, 86-64.

Second game

SAN BEDA 107 – Tagala 19, Nelle 17, Obenza 16, Velasquez 11, Hijle 9, Nayve 9, Mahinay 8, Dela Rosa 6, Etrata 5, Barbero 4, Alfaro 2, Garcia 1, Bonalos 0, Sese 0.

LETRAN 74 – Tamayo 16, David 8, Reyson 8, Labrador 7, Boffa 6, De Loyola 6, Dolendo 6, E. Villanueva 5, M. Villanueva 4, Barnachea 2, Cordero 2, Montes 2, Guarino 1, Monje 1, Julian Culanay 0.

Quarters: 25-24, 53-44, 82-63, 107-74

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