Mapua High School continued its tear in the NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball tournament, extending its streak to four games after taking a 76-62 win over defending champion San Beda High School-Taytay, Tuesday at EAC Gym.
The Red Robins turned a 50-46 lead to a 20-point 71-51, — their biggest advantage, capped by Noel Agemenyi right at 3:40-mark in the fourth.
Mapua head coach Yong Garcia credited the victory to the team’s focus on executing their offense and defense during the endgame.
“Nung endgame talagang nag focus yung mga bata sa execution ng offense and yung defense namin,” said Garcia, who is the lead assistant of Randy Alcantara in the Cardinals.
Nygel Gonzales led the Red Robins with 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a game-high plus-28. Sean Salvador also added 11 markers, three boards, and three dimes.
For the Red Cubs, Cristopher Hubilla finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, together with three assists, a steal, and a block.
Meanwhile, Lyceum – Cavite defeated Jose Rizal University 87-77 thanks to a standout performance from Matthew Rubico.
Rubico had a season-high 32 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 52.2-percent from the field.
The Junior Pirates used a 47-35 second half to pull away from the Light Bombers, with the starters outscoring JRU’s opening five 67-48.
Rubico was joined by Nat Fuentes with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists and Jose Torres with nine points and 12 boards.
“Medyo nablo-blow by kami ng full court [nung first half]. Inadjust lang namin na mag half-court para mas makapagfocus kami sa defense namin sa half,” said Lyceum head coach JC Docto.
For the Light Bombers, Martin Pineda contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Paul Enal added 16 markers and 17 boards.
Later on, San Sebastian College-Recoletos crushed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-51.
The Staglets had a total team effort with 12 of their 15 players contributing on the offensive end and showcasing excellent perimeter defense that limited the Brigadiers to just one perimeter field goal (1-for-27) for the entire contest.
San Sebastian head coach Juan Miguel Martin praised the team’s performance, saying that they delivered when it mattered.
“I gave the challenge to them and we talked the roles, kung sino magsstep-up on and game, kung sino gagamitin sa dulo, then yun, nagdeliver lang yung mga bata today,” said Martin.
Ernest Geronimo finished with 12 points and five rebounds for the Staglets, while Lance Dungo led the Brigadiers with 15 points and 11 boards.
Mapua University currently sits at the top of the standings with a 4-0 record, while San Beda, Lyceum, and San Sebastian all have 2-2 records.
On the other hand, Emilio Aguinaldo College remains winless with a 0-4 record.
The Scores:
First Game
Mapua (76) — Gonzales 18, Salvador 11, Mulingtapang 9, Agemenyi 8, Coronel 6, Go 6, Valiña 4, Masiglat 4, Rodriguez 4, M. Dayrit 3, Morenos 3, J. Dayrit 0, Manuel 0.
San Beda (62) — Hubilla 18, Lopez 12, Lorenzo 10, Dungo 9, Lecciones 7, Wagan 3, Reyes 3, Cañete 0, Ronquillo 0, Lacsamana 0, Ludovice 0, Sollano 0, Manarang 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 34-29, 50-46, 76-62
Second Game
SSC-R (82) — Geronimo 12, Rodriguez 9, Danag 9, Bandino 7, Balbao 6, Datario 6, Porcadas 6, De Leon 6, Caysido 6, Hernandez 6, Bularin 6, Miranda 3, Rojas 0, Tucaqui 0, Parba 0.
EAC (51) — Dungo 15, Mariquit 11, Villanueva 8, Bailon 5, Castillo 5, Bautista 3, Tecson 2, Dispo 2, Cuizon 0, Esusan 0, Falsado 0, Balan 0, Bonafe 0, Tenorio 0. Quarterscores: 16-14, 40-24, 55-40, 82-51
Third Game
LPU (87) — Rubico 32, Fuentes 15, Torres 9, Pariñas 6, Espinas 6, Lopez 5, Mointilla 5, Matienzo 4, Magarse 3, Poli 2, Espinas 0, Llanes 0, Mondia 0, Villa 0.
JRU (77) — Pineda 18, Discutido 16, Enal 16, De Leon 7, Mina 7, Guarino 5, Anglo 2, Ilio 2, Lozano 2, Dela Cruz 2, Ferrer 0, Marin 0, Mendoza 0, Rimas 0.
Quarterscores: 18-17, 40-42, 67-62, 87-77
