BY ABBY TORALBA
MAPUA University and Letran bolstered their separate Final Four drives after thumping their respective rivals yesterday in the 98th NCAA juniors’ basketball tournament at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.
The Red Robins and Squires recovered from their previous losses last week and rose on top anew with identical 5-1 markers.
Nygel Gonzales led Mapua to a thrilling 70-68 decision over Arellano that spoiled the 26-point performance of the Brave’s SJ Moore.
Gonzales scored 16 points, to go with seven assists and a rebound while Sean Salvador and Joaquin Coronel contributed 12 markers apiece.
Paul Reguera fired 13 points for Arellano while Axel Javier and Micko Nambi had a combined 14 markers.
The Squires ripped the Jose Rizal University Light Bombbers 94-76.
Andrei Gemao had 21 points, seven caroms, two assists and one block for Letran, while Jonathan Manalili added 19 markers, eight dimes, four boards and four steals.
George Diamante posted a double-double output of 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Emman Anabo also scored 11 markers for the Squires.
With their respective losses, JRU dropped to 2-4, while Arellano fell to 1-5.