Zairose Mina saved his best for last as he exploded from beyond the arc to steer Jose Rizal University to an 88-74 triumph over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Monday.
Mina buried six three-pointers to finish with a career-high 23 points alongside eight rebounds and four assists as the Light Bombers wrapped up their campaign on a winning note, improving to 3-6. Prior to the win, JRU was in a five-game losing slide.
Perpetual, meanwhile, dropped to 4-5 to finish in sixth place.
Carrying a 61-50 lead into the fourth quarter, JRU relied on the hot-shooting of Mina, Paul Enal, and John Guarino who all connived to give the Bombers a 77-59 lead halfway through the frame.
But the Junior Altas continued to fight, trimming their deficit to 14 after a Cristian Vergara fastbreak, 83-69. Mina and Joshua De Leon, though, knocked down back-to-back baskets as JRU built its biggest lead of 20, 89-69.
Mina scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, including four three-pointers.
Martin Pineda was also on target for JRU, listing 16 points, nine rebounds, and one assist while Jhunehl Discutido chipped in 15 markers and two boards.
Pacing Perpetual, meanwhile, was Amiel Acido who poured in 26 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block while Henry Montemayor chimed in with 11 markers and five boards.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
