Letran, Mapua rediscover winning ways
LETRAN and Mapua rediscovered their winning ways, while CSB-La Salle Green Hills made it four straight after a 0-2 start in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament yesterday at the EAC Gym.
Andy Gemao had 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists to lead the Squires to a 94-76 rout of Jose Rizal University.
Nygel Gonzales shot 16 points, including a go-ahead triple in the final 41.8 seconds left, as the Red Robins battled back from 17 points down to frustrate Arellano University, 70-68.
Luis Pablo logged 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists as the Greenies posted a wire-to-wire 99-80 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Letran and Mapua rose to 5-1, while LSGH kept within striking distance of the leaders at 4-2 in a tie with San Sebastian, a 92-87 winner over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Jonathan Manalili had 19 points and eight assists, George Diamante had a double-double of 11 points and 14 boards while Emman Anabo also scored 11 points for the Squires.
Paul Enal tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Light Bombers, who suffered their fourth loss in six games.
SJ Moore’s two free throws off Gonzales’ fifth foul forced the game’s final deadlock at 68-68 when Noel Agemenyi’s jumper gave the lead back to the Red Robins.
The Braves tried to turn things around in the final 11.6 seconds but could not convert, as misses by Moore and Micko Nambi sandwiched by two bungled free throws by Naren Mallari hurt.
Moore had 26 points and five assists for Arellano, which failed to follow up its stunning win to Letran and dropped at 1-5.
Ernest Geronimo and Mark de Leon each had 20 points for the Staglets, who dropped 36 points in the payoff period.
The Junior Pirates, who got 25 points and 16 rebounds from Matthew Rubico, absorbed their third loss in six starts.
