THE Mapua Red Robins turned to the game-long brilliance of point guard Mike Enriquez to upset last year’s finalist, the Arellano University Braves, 84-71, Friday in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Enriquez, who showed complete recovery from a foot injury that sidelined him in the first round, struck with his season’s best of 28 points to lead the Red Robins to their 13th win in 16 games.
The win put them in contention for the second twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals and dropped the Braves to a share of third place with the La Salle Greenhills Junior Blazers at 13-4.
Meanwhile, the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs turned to topscorer Evan Nelle, who had 27 points, including a triple in the last 3.1 seconds, to turn back La Salle Greenhills, 85-82, for their 16th win in 17 games and the solo lead.
Earlier, Benedict Buno had 20 points for Jose Rizal University in their 75-72 win over Lyceum.
The 17-year-old Enriquez, taking charge in the absence of three mainstays, started putting the Red Robins out of harm’s way with his jumper in the last 1:40, 61-56. Then, a layup from Will Gozum and a triple from Brian Lacap allowed Mapua to move away, 66-58, at the end of the third.
Enriquez unloaded 10 points in the last period, including a drive in the last 2:39 for a 77-69 edge.
The Red Robins missed big man Sherwin Concepcion due an injured shoulder, a suspended guard Romuel Junsay and another key player in Jasper Salenga, who sprained his ankle in the remaining five minutes.
“Gusto naming makuha ang no. 2 kaya sinunod ang game plan at na-depensahan namin ang mga shooters nila,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.
Games Monday
(The Arena in San Juan)
9 a.m. San Sebastian vs EAC
10:45 a.m. JRU vs Letran
12:30 p.m. UPHSD vs Lyceum
2:15 p.m. San Beda vs Arellano
4 p.m. Mapua vs La Salle Greenhills