Mapua University held off Jose Rizal University’s late rally, 74-71, to notch its third straight win in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Red Robins led 73-66 with 38 seconds remaining, but the Light Bombers mounted a 5-0 run to pull within two, 73-71, with 14 seconds left.
Datu Usop then lost the ball with three seconds remaining, leading to a foul by Persist Loque on Ray Relojo. Relojo split his free throws to seal the victory for Mapua.
Froilan Reyes led the Red Robins with 22 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and a steal, while John Bagro and Relojo added 14 and 11 points, respectively, as Mapua improved to 5-2 in Group A. The victory followed wins over Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda University.
Usop finished with 13 points to lead the Light Bombers, who fell to 3-5.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
