St. Benilde-LSGH beats Mapua to advance in NCAA juniors hoops semis

MANILA, Philippines — St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills outgunned Mapua in overtime, 59-56, Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena to get a crack at a finals berth in the NCAA season 89 juniors basketball tournament.

Prince Rivero scored 11 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth period and overtime for the Greenies, who set up a meet with San Sebastian on Saturday as the step ladder semifinals continues.

San Beda, which swept the elimination round of the juniors hoops and earned an outright finals berth, awaits the winner.

Rivero also had 23 rebounds, two assists, a steal and three blocks for La Salle, which forged OT on a clutch triple by Michael Dela Cruz with 11 ticks to play.

The Red Robins held on to a slim lead for most of the payoff period, before the Greenies took over in extra time and stretched to lead to as many as six.

Noah Lugo was the lone double-digit scorer for Mapua with 15 points, which went along with 10 rebounds, in their last game of the season.