Sean Franco and Ray Ladica sizzled on both ends as Arellano University gutted out a 99-90 win against top-seeded Mapua University in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball semifinals on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
MVP contender Franco posted a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds together with five assists, two steals, and three blocks while Ladica registered 25 markers, six boards, and one steal.
The win sent the Braves on the cusp of the juniors finals, where they will face either Emilio Aguinaldo College or Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
The Red Robins staged a rally late in the third as Ray Relojo sank a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left in the frame, cutting the deficit to five, 75-80.
But the Braves responded with a 9-0 swing to open the fourth with Franco and Ladica fueling the rampage that saw them create an 89-75 lead. A Franco three-pointer made it a 96-83 cushion before Ladica sealed it with two free throws as Arellano drew first blood in the best-of-three series.
Jhillian Palis led Mapua with 25 points alongside nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals while Relojo chipped in 22 markers, five boards, and five dimes.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
