CY Cuenco came to Mapua’s rescue as the Cardinals pulled off another close one at the expense of Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-79, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
The 6-foot guard scored the team’s final five points including the go-ahead trey with 15 seconds left in the highly-physical encounter at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Tuesday.
The Generals, who trailed by as many as 59-49 in the third period, had one final shot to send the game into overtime, but King Gurtiza’s three-point attempt only hit the front rim of the ring, allowing the Cardinals to escape with their second straight win in three days for an 8-3 (win-loss) record overall for solo second.
Mapua coach Randy Alcantara said the final play was really meant for Cuenco.
“Nakita natin nakabagsak yung depensa kay Clint (Escamis). Give and take naman yung dalawa. Alam naman natin na ganun yung sitwasyon. Pero yung last play mas maluwag (yung depensa) kay Cuenco,” said Alcantara.
Cuenco, related to the late Ginebra and national team member Rey Cuenco, finished with 16 points and six rebounds to compliment Escamis at the backcourt. The reigning league MVP led the Cardinals with 23 points and also with six rebounds.
“Take charge lang ako kung may mag-collapse (sa depensa). Tiwala lang ako sa mga kasama ko,” said Cuenco, who idolizes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a member of the Canadian men’s basketball team and plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
Big man Chris Hubilla added 16 for the Cardinals, who lost starter Marc Igliane due to unsportsmanlike foul in the first half.
The Generals fell to a 5-6 record, but were in the game until the final buzzer.
Emilio Aguinaldo tied the game for the last time at 79 on two free throws by Kyle Jacob with 33 seconds to go before Cuenco broke the count with that clutch three pointer coming off a timeout.
“Huwag lang natin i-foul yung shooter kasi alam naman natin pupunta sa three point (area yun). Naging maganda yung depensa. Siya (Gurtiza) lang naman ang puwede mong (bantayan) kasi titira at titira yun,” said Alcantara of the instruction in the Mapua huddle prior to Cuenco’s three-point dagger.
Harvey Pagsanjan led the Generals with 17 points, while Gurtiza added 14.
The scores
Mapua 82 - Escamis 23, Cuenco 16, Hubilla 16, Mangubat 10, Recto 7, Concepcion 3, Igliane 3, Ryan 0, Agemenyi 0, Fermin 0, Pantaleon 0, Abdulla 0.
Emilio Aguinaldo 79 - Pagsanjan 17, Gurtiza 14, Quinal 10, Bagay 8, Jacob 7, Oftana 6, Manacho 5, Lucero 4, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Luciano 2, Loristo 2, Postanes 0, Umpad 0, Devara 0.
Quarters: 19-21; 46-44; 63-57; 82-79.
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