Published October 4, 2025 11:24am
Updated October 4, 2025 11:24am
NCAA Season 101. October 2, 2025. Froilan Reyes of the Mapua Red Robins. (Photo: Vyn Radovan)
Mapua University erased an early 11-point deficit to complete an 83-80 come-from-behind victory over Arellano University on Saturday in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Braves appeared in control, building a 48-37 lead just before halftime. However, Froilan Reyes knocked down a triple to cut the Red Robins’ deficit to single digit at the break.
Mapua came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Arellano 27-17 to seize a 67-65 lead heading into the final frame.
The Red Robins looked poised to run away with the win, leading 78-69 with under three minutes remaining. However, the Braves refused to fold, mounting an 11-3 run to pull within one, 81-80, with just six seconds left.
However, a late foul by Laurence Pillas on Jhillian Palis put the latter on the line where he calmly sank both free throws to seal the win for Mapua.
The victory served as a bounce-back performance for Mapua after falling to Lyceum of the Philippines University in their season opener, 74-66.
Kean Dungca led the Red Robins with 21 points, five rebounds, and a steal. Reyes and Gabriel Mercado added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Chris Parame contributed a double-double with 14 rebounds and 10 points, while Palis chipped in 10 points of his own.
Sean Franco paced Arellano with 19 points, while Ray Ladica and Chris Dy contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively. Axel Mendoza was a point shy of a double-double, finishing with nine points and 15 rebounds.
Scores:
Mapua 83 – Dungca 21, Reyes 13, Mercado 12, Parame 10, Palis 10, Castro 6, Bernabe 6, Bagro 3, Victolero 2, Villavicencio 0, Gemao 0.
Arellano 80 – Franco 19, Ladica 13, Dy 12, Mendoza 9, Manansala 9, Tagorda 5, Vergara 5, Pangilinan 4, Pillas 2, Sapo 2, Pascual 0, Aurita 0, Guance 0, Guiral 0, Asay 0.
Quarters: 17-23, 40-48, 67-65, 83-80.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
