Mapua University stopped the surging Emilio Aguinaldo College with an 83-76 escape to extend its own streak in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Red Robins turned to Jhillian Palis as he detonated for a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds together with three steals while Froilan Reyes and Ray Relojo chipped in 12 and 11 markers apiece.
With the win, Mapua extended its winning streak to four to improve to 6-2 in Group A while EAC saw its seven-game surge come to an end to go 7-2 in Group B.
A Tristan Allam layup allowed EAC to cut the deficit to three in the final two minutes, 79-76, but Palis responded with a basket of his own to bring Mapua to a five-point advantage in the final 42 seconds.
Palis then sealed the victory by sinking a pair of free throws as Mapua picked up where it left off from three straight victories over San Beda, Letran, and JRU.
Mapua held off EAC star Kelly Coronel to just six points, four rebounds, and one assist as James Castro paced the Brigadiers with 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals while Allam chimed in with 12 markers and nine boards.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
