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Mapua completes comeback against SSC-R, secures NCAA Juniors bronze finish

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 20, 2024 02:39 PM PHT

MANILA — Mapua University completed a comeback victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos to secure a podium finish in the NCAA Season 99 juniors’ basketball tournament.

This, after the Red Robins defeated the Staglets, 64-62, in their Battle for Third face-off on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Sean Salvador led MU in scoring, putting up 21 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, while Aki Valina followed him with 13 markers, four boards, and a steal.

Tied at 59 in the final canto after a lay-in by SSC-R’s Ben Jimenez, Mapua’s Lawrence Mangubat aced his trip to the charity stripe to create a two-point advantage, 61-59, with only two minutes left in the contest.

The Red Robins’ defense forced a turnover from the Staglets in the next play, while Mangubat and Salvador’s makes from the 15-foot line in the following possession extended their lead to five, 64-59.

Ruvic Danag’s late trey gave Baste their last hope as it cut Mapua’s lead to two, but that was the closest that they could get as they eventually bid their once 13-point lead and the bronze medal goodbye.

Before this, trailing by double digits early in the fourth, 51-39, head coach Yong Garcia’s troops slowly threaded through SSC-R’s lead, producing a 16-4 run in a span of five minutes to tie the game at 55 following a basket by Jhillian Palis.

A split from Carl Rodriguez in Mapua’s next possession finally allowed them to overtake San Sebastian by a point, while a three-pointer from Salvador at the 3:34 mark gave the Intramuros cagers a two-point lead, 59-57.

Danag headed San Sebastian with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists, Jhun Penaverde had 14, while Ben Jimenez finished with 10.

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