SJ Moore was just too much as Arellano University picked up its breakthrough win at the expense of previously unbeaten Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 75-63, in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Friday.
Moore poured in a double-double outing with 24 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks, one assist, and one steal to steer the Braves to their first win as they improved to 1-4 while Letran saw its four-game winning streak end, falling to 4-1.
Arellano was firing on all cylinders early on, building a 44-24 halftime lead before the Squires stepped up on the gas pedal in the third period to outscore the Braves, 19 to 9, and head to the fourth staring at a 10-point deficit, 53-43.
Andy Gemao then rallied Letran, nailing back-to-back triples to bring the Squires to within nine, 68-59, late in the game. But Gian Mendoza's short jumper gave Arellano some breathing room and the Braves were eventually able to hang on for the win.
Paul Reguera provided the lift with 13 points and six rebounds while Ivan Panapanaan chipped in nine markers, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
Gemao's 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three steals went for naught as Letran failed to keep its immaculate run going.
The scores:
Arellano 75 - Moore 24, Reguera 13, Panapanaan 9, Mallari 7, Jimenez 6, Mendoza 4, Pondoc 4, Javier 4, Yu 2, Espinosa 2, Nambi 0.
Letran 63 - Gemao 18, Padilla 14, Anabo 8, Manalili 6, Navarro 4, Hugo 4, Alforque 3, Cruz 3, Silorio 3, Diamante 0, Baliling 0.
Quarters: 22-8, 44-24, 53-43, 75-63.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
