Mapua’s Nieles rules NCAA Skills Challenge

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The league’s best speedster remained from Mapua.

Cardinal guard JP Nieles ruled the Skills Challenge in the 2017 NCAA Season 93 All-Star, beating St. Benilde rookie Unique Naboa in the Finals on Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Nieles had a perfect run, but faced a slight hitch when his ball didn’t go down the net after his lay-up.

“I wanted to get the ball, but (Naboa) was still shooting a layup,” he said, as he allowed Naboa to shoot two more attempts before taking the ball and cruising to the top of the arc to drill the game-winning jumper.

Nieles retained the Skills Challenge plum for Mapua after Darell Menina won the title last year.

“I checked Shane’s time last year and he got 24.6 seconds. I felt I needed to best that and I was really inspired with what he did,” he said.

Nielestopped Letran’s Jeremiah Taladua in the semifinals to earn his spot in the championship round.

Still, it was a huge validation for Nieles given the Cardinals’ woeful campaign this season.

“I’m really happy. It shows that even though we’re down, I can prove that some of us can still step up,” he said.

Nieles recorded the best time in the first round with 20.7 seconds, leading the list that also had Naboa (21.9 seconds), Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino (25.8 seconds), and Taladua (27.5 seconds) to qualify for the final round.

Also joining the competition were Perpetual’s Keith Pido, Arellano’s Levi dela Cruz, San Sebastian’s Michael Are, San Beda’s Radge Tongco, EAC’s Jervin Guzman, and JRU’s Karl Bordon.