#FilOil2019: Ateneo squeaks past Mapua to go 2-2 in juniors

SAN JUAN -- Ateneo bucked a fourth-quarter deficit to sneak past Mapua, 67-66 in the Juniors division of the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup late Thursday morning at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

The Blue Eaglets came from nine points down in the final 9:30 to snatch the win in the dying moments to go 2-2 in Group A, keeping their semifinal hopes alive while sending the Red Robins crashing out of the tournament.

Ivan Lazarte's lay-up gave the defending NCAA champions the biggest lead at 58-49 before that late rally by the UAAP side snatched the win from them. 

Ian Espinosa's floater over Jonnel Policarpio with 5.5 seconds left capped his eight point of the contest, as Ateneo bounced back from two straight defeats as Forthsky Padrigao sat out for the second straight outing.

Jynno Ladimo led the Blue Eaglets with 12 points while Miggy Salvador and Francis Lopez each had 10.

Policarpio had 15 points for Mapua who fell to 1-3.

The scores:

Ateneo 67 -- Ladimo 12, M. Salvaor 10, Lopez 10, Espinosa 8, Jaymalin 8, Lazaro 8, G. Salvaor 4, Coral 3, Santos 2, Diaz 2, De Ayre 0, Pangilinan 0, Lechoncito 0, Nieto 0, Litang 0

Mapua 66 -- Policarpio 15, Lazarte 14, Jugo 8, Damiles 7, Mercado 7, Fransman 6, Parial 4, Galang 3, Castor 2, Balaga 0, Echavia 0, Ejercito 0, Chavez 0

Quarter scores: 15-17, 34-32, 49-56, 67-66

(photo: FilOil FlyingV Sports)