Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Mapua University bounced back big by disposing of their respective foes in the NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.
The Squires, who were coming off a 59-68 loss to the Arellano Braves, vented their ire on Jose Rizal University, 94-76, while the Red Robins, who suffered a 66-70 defeat at the hands of Lyceum-Cavite, scored a come-from-behind 70-68 win over Arellano University.
Andy Gemao once again shone brightly for the Squires, ending the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Squires head coach Allen Ricardo was pleased with the team’s comeback, saying it was a wake-up call for the squad.
“It’s a great comeback. It’s a wakeup call sa amin. Dito sa very short liga na to kung matatalo ka padulo,” said Ricardo.
The Squires’ bench proved to be the difference maker this game as they outscored the Light Bombers’ bench, 52-9.
Jonathan Manalili and George Diamante led the bench with 19 points and 11 points respectively.
Meanwhile, the Red Robins trailed by as much as 15 points, 58-43, but made a strong comeback, scoring 27 points in the final quarter led by Nygel Gonzales and Noel Agemenyi.
Mapua’s head coach Yong Garcia credited the team’s focus and hard work in rallying back.
“Big credits to my players kasi yung focus nila to play defense and play to win is talagang nandon. I’m just happy for them,” said Garcia.
Gonzales led Mapua with 16 points and seven assists while Agemenyi tallied 15 rebounds with eight points.
For Light Bombers, Paul Enal (19 points and 11 rebounds) and Martin Pineda (17 points and 10 rebounds) had double-doubles, and Zairose Mina contributed 18 points.
SJ Moore had a strong outing for the Braves with 26 points, five rebounds, a steal, and a block, while Paul Reguera added 13 points.
Mapua and Letran are currently tied for first place with 5-1 records.
In the third game, La Salle Green Hills dominated Emilio Aguinaldo College, winning 99-80.
The Greenies were in control from the start and led by as much as 29 points.
Coach Renren Ritualo praised the readiness of the team.
“Syempre like I’ve said since day one we’ll need everybody so they have to stay ready. And fortunately this game, they are,” he said.
Manuel Pablo led the Greenies with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Gian Gomez and Rod Alien had 17 and 16 points respectively.
Jafet Villanueva paced the Brigadiers with 29 points and nine rebounds.
LSGH is in third place with 4-2.
JRU is at 2-4, while Arellano and EAC are struggling with 1-5 and 0-6 records respectively.
The Scores:
First Game
Mapua (70) — Gonzales 16, Salvador 12, Coronel 12, Agemenyi 8, Masiglat 5, Mulingtapang 5, Go 4, Valiña 4, Manuel 2, Rodriguez 2, Morenos 0, Santos 0.
Arellano (68) — Moore 26, Reguera 13, Javier 8, Nambi 6, Panapanaan 5, Jimenez 4, Mendoza 2, Mallari 2, Distrito 1, Pondoc 1, Yu 0, Espinosa 0.
Quarterscores: 11-24, 30-39, 43-56, 70-68
Second Game
Letran (94) — Gemao 21, Manalili 19, Diamante 11, Anabo 11, Alforque 8, Navarro 6, Hugo 5, Padilla 4, Baliling 2, Cruz 2, Cuajao 2, Silorio 2, Paguiligan 1, Datumaling 0, Dural 0.
JRU (76) — Enal 19, Mina 18, Pineda 17, Lozano 9, Rimas 5, Discutido 4, Ferrer 2, Guarino 2, De Leon 0, Dela Cruz 0, Marin 0, Mendoza 0, Natividad 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 50-42, 71-59, 94-76
Third Game
LSGH (99) — Pablo 20, Gomez 17, Alian 16, Gagate 11, Ison 9, Zamora 8, R. Romero 4, Mesias 3, Rivero 3, S. Romero 2, Muyuela 2, Natividad 2, Villaver 2, Hachuela 0, Zaragoza 0.
EAC (80) — Villanueva 29, Dungo 14, Mariquit 11, Castillo 8, Tecson 5, Romero 4, Balan 3, Bailon 2, Bautista 2, Esusan 2, Bonafe 0, Falsado 0, Tenorio 0.
Quarterscores: 32-11, 50-34, 80-54, 99-80
