Robins survive Greenies

MANILA, Philippines - Mapua watched La Salle Greenhills missed two potential game-winning attempts in the closing seconds and eked out an 82-80 victory in the third Freego Filipino-Chinese Basketball League (FCBL) Cup at the Philippine Buddhacare gym in Quezon City.

The Red Robins were holding an 81-77 lead with 16 seconds left when Joseph Trajano hit a three-pointer to push the Greenies within one, 80-81 with 10 seconds remaining.

After Rodolfo Alejandro split his charities for Mapua, 82-80, Trajano and Jon Villaruz had chances to send the game in overtime but muffed both close range attempts to surrender the win to the Red Robins.

The win gave Mapua a 4-1 mark and the top spot in Group A of the annual high school cagefest also supported by Smart Communications.

Ian Valdez had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Red Robins and take the Freego Best Player of the Game honor.

Trajano paced LSGH with 17 markers, highlighted by four three-pointers to bag the Energen 3-Point Shooter of the game citation.

The Greenies dropped to 3-2 in the tournament also being backed by Mighty Sports, Colt Commercial, Star Galaxy Industrial Fabricator Inc., Powerbest Marketing Inc., Mandarin Sky Seafood and Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Multimotors Auto Part Inc. and Apple Tape.

In other games, San Beda stayed unbeaten after four games in Group B after demolishing Xavier School, 97-72, while Adamson nailed its first win over La Salle Zobel, 78-73.

Von Chaves had 21 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Red Cubs, who now carded a 4-0 mark. Jeron Teng led the Stallions (2-3) with 22 markers.

Joseph Manlangit finished with 15 points and nine boards for the Baby Falcons.

 who ended their first round campaign with 1-4 slate. Alex Torres paced the Junior Archers (0-4) with 13.