Matthew Rubico tallied an impressive triple-double as Lyceum of the Philippines University stunned erstwhile undefeated Mapua University, 70-66, in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Friday at the EAC Gym.
Rubico finished with game-highs of 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, alongside one steal and one block to steer Lyceum to a 3-2 card while dealing Mapua its first taste of loss to drop to 4-1.
Rubico only shot 2-of-18 from the field but did plenty of damage from the free throw line, making 11 of his 13 attempts. Lyceum's Cirian Mulligan also provided an offensive boost, matching Rubico's 15 points alongside four assists.
Jose Torres and Ziv Espinas churned out double-double outings for themselves with the former listing 14 markers and 12 rebounds while the latter collected 10 points and 10 boards.
Back-to-back free throws from Rubico sent the Junior Pirates to a 62-54 cushion halfway through the fourth before the Red Robins ignited a rally, pulling to within one after a furious 11-4 run capped by a Sean Salvador triple, 66-65, with 1:07 left.
Rubico then completed a fadeaway jumper for a 68-65 upper hand as Montilla split his freebies with 9.6 ticks left in the game clock. Luis Pariñas then committed a crucial foul on Salvador, who could only make one of his three free throws, 69-66.
Salvador paced Mapua with his 15 points, seven rebounds, and one assist while Nygel Gonzales and Joaquin Coronel chimed in with 10 markers apiece.
The scores:
Lyceum 70 - Rubico 15, Mulligan 15, Torres 14, Zi. Espinas 10, Mointilla 9, Matienzo 4, Fuentes 3, Poli 0, Zy. Espinas 0, Magarse 0, Lopez 0, Mondia 0, Parinas 0.
Mapua 66 - Salvador 15, Gonzales 10, Coronel 10, Rodriguez 8, Agemenyi 6, Valina 5, Mulingtapang 4, Masiglat 3, Manuel 2, Morenos 2, Go 1.
Quarters: 14-19, 29-33, 44-44, 70-66.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
