Sean Salvador exploded for 30 points, leading Mapua University to a stunning 82-70 victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman to clinch the 2024 Asiabasket Youth League title on Saturday at Enderun Colleges Gym in Taguig.
Salvador earlier scored 33 points in the semifinals against Adamson University.
He also contributed five rebounds and an assist on his way to earning the tournament MVP award.
After a scoreless first quarter, Salvador made up for lost time by scoring most of his points in the crucial fourth quarter.
He contributed 17 of Mapua’s 19 points to thwart a comeback attempt by the Baby Tamaraws.
Despite FEU-Diliman’s 8-0 run that narrowed the gap to 68-62, Salvador responded with his own 8-0 scoring spree. He pushed Mapua’s lead back to double digits at 76-62 with three minutes remaining.
Two more baskets extended Mapua’s lead to 80-65, and Yuri Doque sealed the championship with two free throws.
Mapua had a challenging path to the title, defeating University of the East 82-74 in the quarterfinals. It then upset defending UAAP High School Boys’ champion Adamson University 87-69 in the semifinals.
Joining Salvador in the Asiabasket Youth League First Team are Collins Akowe of NU Nazareth School, Mark Esperanza of Adamson, EJ Castillo of Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Cabs Cabonillas of FEU Diliman.
The Baby Tamaraws were missing Cabonillas, Marc Burgos, and Hans Castillejos, who are part of the Gilas Boys pool for the 2024 SEABA Under-18 Championship.
The Scores:
Mapua (82) – Salvador 30, Reyes 10, Grasingan 8, Doque 7, Laurenaria 7, Poso 7, Laylo 5, Rodriguez 4, Pails 4, Banal 0, Bagro 0.
FEU-D (70) РSalangsang 23, Ra̱eses 10, De Guzman 9, Gemao 7, Godoy 6, Hall 6, Santos 5, Pascual 4, Maierhofer 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 40-33, 59-51, 82-70.
