By: Leiniel Santos
Jose Rizal University and La Salle Green Hills pulled off upsets on Day 3 of the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament, Sunday at EAC Gym in Manila.
The Light Bombers stunned defending champions Letran Squires, 68-67, while the Greenies shocked the Malayan Red Robins, 76-73.
Both squads, along with venue host Emilio Aguinaldo College — which defeated Lyceum to open the day, 93-84 — went up to 2-1 in the standings.
JRU and EAC both notched their second straight wins, while LSGH bounced back from its defeat at the hands of league-leader Perpetual.
Letran started strong, but JRU took control with a dominant 23-11 run in the second quarter, shifting the momentum in their favor.
The Light Bombers extended their lead to 13 points, 53-40, midway through the third quarter. However, the Squires mounted a fierce comeback in the final frame, reclaiming the lead at 65-64.
Both teams displayed solid defensive efforts throughout the game, but JRU held on, with crucial baskets from Marcus To and Lee Marin sealing the win.
“Knowing Letran, medyo nakakataas talaga ng morale kasi nabanggit nga nung nakaraan, we only have limited time to prepare… So kami ng mga bata nag-aadjust pa kami kaya beating a team like Letran, talagang nakaka-boost ng confidence,” said first-year JRU head coach Nani Epondulan.
Marin led JRU with 16 points, while James Almario and CJ Satparam contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively.
On the other hand, Guillian Quines led the Greenies with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Ram Sharma added 13 points and nine rebounds. Arle Podador also contributed 11 points, shooting an impressive 80% from the field.
The Greenies built a 10-point lead heading into the third quarter, but the Red Robins responded, making it a back-and-forth battle for momentum.
Yuri Duque spearheaded Malayan’s offense with an 8-1 run to start the fourth quarter, eventually tying the game at 60-60. However, LSGH quickly regained control, with Ram Sharma sinking a crucial free throw and Jhames Ison adding a key basket to push their lead back to 64-60.
Despite Malayan’s continued fight, their hopes of forcing overtime were dashed when Duque missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final six seconds.
“We just have to maintain our composure. We have to remember that possible games are full of runs. We had our run, then Mapua had theirs, but we stayed composed, and that’s what made the difference,” said LSGH head coach Renren Ritualo.
To open the day, Ian Cuajao delivered another stellar performance, dropping 30 points along with two rebounds and two assists to lead EAC. EJ Castillo also played a key role with 17 points and four rebounds.
Unlike their previous game, Cuajao received significant support from his teammates, particularly Adrian Lanceta, who stepped up in the second half, scoring all 12 of his points to fuel the Brigadiers’ victory.
“Ngayon 30 points ulit si Ian pero nag-step up si Lanceta na napakalaking bagay. Tulad ng sinasabi ko na kapag may swerte sa loob, kailangan may supporting cast,” said EAC head coach Noy Catalan.
For Letran — which dropped to 1-2 — Jhuniel Dela Rama was the only player to reach double figures, scoring 15 points.
Allan Laurenaria registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Duque followed with 11 points, while Froilan Reyes chipped in 10 for the Red Robins, who also fell to 1-2.
Zyren Panerio finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists for the still winless Junior Pirates. Jericho Abrantes and Cleafford Dag-um added 17 and 14 points, respectively.
The Scores
First Game
EAC 93 – Cuajao 30, Castillo 17, Lanceta 12, Cononigo 8, Coronel 8, Castillo 6, Bonus 4, Tecson 4, Luna 4, Iraham 0, Campana 0, Bautista 0, Lumbo 0, Razo 0, Jawili 0
LPU 84 – Panerio 19, Abrantes 17, Dag-um 14, Pelayo 8, Poli 7, Julio 6, Creus 4, Conde 4, Enguio 2, Mercado 2, Melchor 1, Lontok 0, Omelio 0, Nolado 0
Quarterscores: 24-14, 48-35, 76-45, 93-84
Second Game
LSGH 76 – Quines 17, Sharma 13, Podador 11, Gomez 9, Peralta 8, Ison 8, Ortega 5, Hizon 2, Yutuc 2, Osis 1, Gonzales 0, Abad 0
MHS 73 – Launeria 14, Duque 11, Reyes 10, Salvador 8, Miranda 8, Banal 8, Del Poso 7, Rodriguez 3, Bagro 2, Catapang 2, Loriaga 0, Gragasin 0
Quarterscores: 17-18, 39-37, 59-52, 76-73
Third Game
JRU 68 – Marin 16, Almario 15, Satparam 10, Pinzon 8, Castillo 6, To 4, Lacusong 4, Abequibel 3, Callueng 2, Ong 0, Ferrer 0, Tolworthy 0
CSJL 67 – Dela Rama 15, Alforque 9, Valdeavilla 8, Villanueva 7, Reyes 7, Padilla 6, Cruz 4, Silirio 3, Lumague 3, Hugo 2, Cargo 2, Quinones 1, Quijada 1, Magcale 0
Quarterscores: 17-21, 40-32, 64-60, 68-67
