Lyceum of the Philippines University pulled off an upset against Group A leader Mapua University, 80-73, in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The win ended the Junior Pirates’ six-game losing skid as they improved to 3-7, while the Red Robins slipped to 6-4.
The Junior Pirates relied on a strong fourth-quarter surge, outscoring Mapua, 23-9, after trailing 64-57 at the end of the third period.
James Nodalo caught fire in the final frame, drilling three triples and scoring 13 of his 15 points in the quarter alone.
Lamarcus Pelayo led the Junior Pirates with 17 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and a block, while Steven Creus added 15 points and eight boards as LPU completed a elimination round sweep of Mapua.
The win spoiled Froilan Reyes’ hot-shooting performance, as he knocked down six triples en route to a game-high 31 points. Reyes, however, was limited to just three points in the crucial fourth quarter. Jhillian Palis chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds for the Red Robins.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News