San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) stunned Mapua University in a crucial 60-58 win, extending its streak to five in the NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gymnasium.
With one game left remaining in the elimination, the Staglets overtook the Red Robins in the second spot as they now both have a 6-2 win-loss record.
San Sebastian head coach Juan Miguel Martin expressed how this is a huge boost for the team as no one believed in them at the start of the season.
Martin said, “No one’s believing in us e kaya big boost na to pra samin. Kasi from the start palang sinasabi na namin na we have to belong, kasi under the radar kami e. Sabi ko lang sa team we have to belong and makuha yung respeto ng mga tao. Ngayong nananalo na kami, now we have to believe.”
After trailing by 13 multiple times in the game, Mapua was able to cut it to two, 58-60 after a Nygel Gonzales layup with 2.9 seconds remaining. Coming off a timeout, the Red Robins almost had a steal after Staglets’ inbound but unfortunately for them, time had already expired.
Louie Datario led San Sebastian with 19 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Stephen Jardinico added 16 markers and six boards.
For Mapua, Nicolo Mulingtapang scored 16 markers, two dimes, and seven boards, while Nygel Gonzales had 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) crushed Lyceum – Taytay’s Final Four hopes, 100-97, while spoiling Matthew Rubico’s career performance in the process.
Five Junior Altas finished in double figures led by Wayne Valencia with 24 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
For the Junior Pirates, Matthew Rubico tallied a monster performance with 43 markers, 13 boards, nine assists, and four steals in a loss.
UPHSD was up by as much as 22 points in the first half, 51-29 after a Jhames Daep bucket, but the Junior Altas almost fumbled the bag as the Junior Pirates were able to tie it at 68 right at the 3:09-mark of the third quarter.
However, the Altas scored 11 straight points to end the third frame and did not let go of the lead the entire payoff period.
Junior Altas head coach Gerald Dizon told his boys to not let go and not waste the lead that they built in the first half. “Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na dapat mas gigil pa rin kayo kesa sa kanila, kasi nalamangan niyo na ng ganung kalaki e,” he said.
Perpetual improved their playoff chances with 4-4, while Lyceum is now out with 3-5.
In a battle of two also-ran squads, Arellano University grabbed its second win of the season, 73-66 as its held Emilio Aguinaldo College winless after eight games.
Holding onto just a six-point, 56-50 entering the final frame, the Braves were able to pull away after an Axel Javier and-one basket to get their biggest lead of the game, 64-52.
Arellano head coach Junjie Ablan was glad that they were able to get the win after a series of heartbreak losses.
“Sabi ko sa kanila coming to this game na we still have two games left. Tapusin natin ng ayos para at least respectable yung finish natin,” said Ablan.
James Moore led the Braves with 14 points, eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. Javier and Michael Yu contributed 12 and 10 apiece.
Lance Dungo finished with 19 markers, six boards and three dimes for the Generals. Meanwhile, Janray Castillo and Liam Bautista added 14 and 12 points respectively.
The Scores
First Game
SSC-R (60) — Datorio 19, Jardinico 16, De Leon 11, Parba 8, Danag 4, Porcadas 2, Balbao 0, Hernandez 0, Caysido 0, Bandino 0, Bularin 0, Reyes 0, Rojas 0.
Mapua (58) — Mulingtapang 16, Gonzales 10, Coronel 8, Morenos 7, Agemenyi 5, Valiña 5, Salvador 2, Masiglat 0, Go 0, Manuel 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 10-16, 26-23, 44-34, 60-58
Second Game
Arellano (73) — Moore 14, Javier 12, Yu 10, Reguera 9, Pondoc 7, Panapanaan 5, Jimenez 5, Pascual 5, Espinosa 2, Mendoza 2, Nambi 2, Distrito 0, Ortega 0, Mallari 0.
EAC (66) — Dungo 19, Castillo 14, Bautista 12, Balan 9, Mariquit 6, Bailon 2, Tecson 2, Villanueva 2, Esusan 0, Falsado 0, Romero 0, Tenorio 0.
Quarterscores: 17-15, 36-29, 56-50, 73-66
Third Game
Perpetual (100) — Valencia 24, Acido 17, Vergara 16, Mascariñas 11, Pagulayan 11, Daep 8, Canlas 6, Callangan 3, Montemayor 3, Montero 1, Bernaldez 0, De Ala 0, Panelo 0.
LPU (97) — Rubico 43, Fuentes 27, Torres 8, Villa 7, Matienzo 4, Mulligan 4, Zi. Espinas 2, Mondia 2, Pariñas 0, Zy Espinas 0, Mointilla 0, Nodalo 0, Poli 0.
Quarterscores: 21-10, 54-37, 79-68, 100-97
