Mapua University escaped La Salle Green Hills, 74-70, in a thrilling overtime encounter to kick off the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gymnasium in Manila.
The Greenies' Mikhail Romero missed both of his free throws but caught a break as they regained the possession before he nailed an overtime-sending basket, 62-all, with 7.1 seconds left in regulation.
A triple in the final three minutes courtesy of Sean Salvador gave the Red Robins a crucial 69-64 cushion in the extra period but Rod Alian completed a three-point play opportunity as part of a rally that cut La Salle's deficit back down to one, 71-70, with 1:23 left.
Romero then committed a crucial turnover on the inbound pass as Noel Agemenyi knocked down two charities to put the game away, 74-70.
Salvador led Mapua with 15 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Nygel Gonzales and Nicolo Mulingtapang each listed 10 markers in the overtime victory.
In the second game, Colegio de San Juan de Letran eked out a 91-86 triumph over San Sebastian College-Recoletos after the Squires spoiled a big scoring outburst from Staglet Mark Danag.
Danag, who scored 19 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, drilled five triples in the payoff period, to bring the Staglets to within one, 87-86, with 1:30 left to play.
But Letran's Jolo Navarro buried a clutch basket followed by two freebies from Emman Anabo as the Intramuros squad booked the win.
Andre Gemao paced Letran with 15 points, highlighted by a slam early in the fourth, alongside six rebounds, three steals, and one block while Jonathan Manalili chipped in 14.
George Diamante churned out a double-double outing of 10 markers and 13 boards for Letran.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA opened its campaign with a tight 71-69 win over Arellano University with Lebron Daep showing the way from both ends as he registered18 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and one steal.
Amiel Acido was also instrumental in the Junior ALTAs' victory as he posted a double-double of 14 markers and 13 boards to go along with six dimes and two steals.
Perpetual is now tied with Mapua and Letran with similar 1-0 cards while LSGH, San Sebastian, and Arellano all have a 0-1 slate.
The scores:
First game
Mapua 74 - Salvador 15, Gonzales 10, Mulingtapang 10, Rodriguez 9, Coronel 9, Agemenyi 7, Morenos 6, Masiglat 4, Go 3, Valina 1, Catapang 0, Dayrit 0, Manuel 0.
Benilde-La Salle Green Hills 70 - Alian 17, Mesias 15, Gagate 13, Pablo 8, Ison 8, M. Romero 4, Rivero 3, Zaragoza 2, Muyuela 0, Villaver 0, Natividad 0, R. Romero 0, Gomez 0, Hachuela 0.
Quarters: 16-12, 33-30, 46-47, 62-62, 74-70 (OT).
Second game
Letran 91 - Gemao 15, Manalili 14, Navarro 11, Diamante 10, Padilla 8, Alforque 7, Silorio 7, Cruz 6, Anabo 6, Baliling 5, Hugo 2, Dural 0, Datumalim 0, Cuajao 0, Reyes 0.
San Sebastian 86 - Danag 23, De Leon 14, Jardinico 9, Balbao 9, Parba 8, Reyes 8, Hernandez 6, Geronimo 5, Bularin 2, Porcadas 1, Datario 1, Bandino 0, Caysido 0, Rojas 0.
Quarters: 19-22, 40-46, 65-65, 91-86.
Third game
Perpetual 71 - Daep 18, Acido 14, Pagulayan 12, Callangan 8, Mascarinas 5, Vergara 4, Canlas 4, Montemayor 3, Bernaldez 3, De Ala 0, Kress 0, Valenciua 0, Montero 0, Rojas 0.
Arellano 69 - Moore 19, Reguera 15, Mendoza 8, Panapanaan 5, Pondoc 4, Mallari 4, Yu 4, Distrito 3, Espinosa 2, Nambi 2, Jimenez 2, Jalalon 1.
Quarters: 22-15, 44-34, 60-53, 71-69.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
