League-leading Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Mapua University made sure to avoid back-to-back losses as they eked out wins against separate foes in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Monday.
Letran, which previously saw its winning streak end at four after falling at the hands of Arellano University last Friday, recovered with a statement 94-76 victory against Jose Rizal University to improve to 5-1 while dropping the Light Bombers down to 2-4.
Andy Gemao was again at the forefront of offense, collecting 21 points in 28 minutes of action alongside seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal while George Diamante proved valuable on both ends with his 11 markers, 14 boards, three dimes, and two blocks.
Jonathan Manalili provided the help with 19 points, eight assists, and four rebounds off the bench as the Squires maintained their surprise run in the tournament.
Forging a tie with Letran are the Mapua Red Robins, who pulled off a clutch 70-68 triumph over Arellano after erasing what was once a 17-point deficit as they improved to 5-1 as well.
Mapua outscored the Braves in the crucial payoff period, 27 to 12, including a contested three-pointer from Nygel Gonzales that gave the Red Robins back the lead, 68-66, with 41.8 seconds left on the clock.
SJ Moore then completed his free throws to tie things up at 68-all before Noel Agemenyi knocked down a tough bucket against three defenders to give Mapua a much-needed 70-68 cushion in the final 11.7 seconds.
Naren Mallari went 0-of-2 on his freebies as his teammate Micko Nambi secured the offensive rebound, but he missed out on a potential game-tying basket as Mapua completed a comeback win.
Gonzales paced Mapua with 16 points, seven assists, and one rebound while Agemenyi finished with eight markers, 15 boards, and two blocks. The loss saw Moore's 26-point outburst go to waste as Arellano dropped to 1-5.
In the third game, College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills picked up its fourth win in a row after disposing of struggling Emilio Aguinaldo College, 99-80, to improve to 4-2.
Luis Pablo churned out 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists all in 19 minutes of action while Gian Gomez and Ethan Alian poured in 17 and 16 markers to tow the Greenies to the third spot.
EAC, who now dropped to 0-6, leaned on Jafet Villanueva with a game-high 29 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and one assist while Lance Dungo and Mark Mariquit finished with 14 and 11 markers apiece.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
