Jhillian Palis returned from a one-game suspension to help Mapua University pull off an 84-74 win against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball battle for third on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The young guard, who served the one-game ban due to two technicals in the previous game, posted an all-around outing of 13 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals as the Red Robins salvaged a podium finish after losing to Arellano University in the Final Four.
Froilan Reyes top-scored with 18 markers, including three triples to close out the game, alongside four boards and a steal while Ray Relojo and MJ Bernabe chipped in 11 and 10 points apiece.
A Kelly Coronel layup allowed EAC to tie things up at 71-all in the fourth quarter, but the Red Robins went on a 13-3 closing surge instigated by a three-point play from Chris Parame followed by a Reyes triple for a 77-71 cushion.
Reyes then sealed the deal by unleashing two more three-pointers down the stretch to seal the bronze medal.
Noel Lanceta and Coronel paced the Brigadiers in the loss with 22 and 16 points apiece with the latter grabbing eight rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal.
WATCH NCAA:
The scores:
Mapua 84 - Reyes 18, Palis 13, Relojo 11, Bernabe 10, Parame 7, Mercado 6, Gemao 6, Dungca 6, Docto 3, Castro 2, Uy 2, Scott 0, Sigua 0.
EAC 74 - Lanceta 22, Coronel 16, Castillo 9, Macahipay 8, Allam 7, Bonus 6, Carniyan 2, Dela Cruz 2, Domingo 1, Castro 1, Lucero 0, Auditor 0, Cesar 0, Taganas 0, Francisco 0.
Quarters: 26-25, 41-46, 63-62, 84-74.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
