MAPUA didn’t allow Letran to get into groove and coasted to a dominant 77-62 win Friday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
Chris Hubilla torched one of the schools he originally committed to as he dropped 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Cyril Cuenco and Lawrence Mangubat with 13 each for the Cardinals, who dominated the Knights from start to finish in claiming their third straight win.
At 3-1, Mapua moved up in second place with a 3-1 record, just behind idle leader College of St. Benilde (4-0).
Hubilla was the initial spark the Cardinals needed by scoring 12 points in the first half.
Mapua also held Letran to just eight points in the first quarter to control the tempo of the dominant win fashioned out before a huge weekend crowd at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
League MVP Clint Escamis also submitted double figures with 12 points in helping the Cardinals take the first ‘Battle of Intramuros’ during the league’s century season.
After winning their last two outings, the Knights came out flat this time and just couldn’t get their game going against their old rivals, eventually trailing by as many as 62-42 in the fourth quarter.
Jimboy Estrada led Letran with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three block shots in an all-around game, while team captain Pao Javillonar added 11 and seven boards in just his second game of the season coming off a two-game suspension for playing in an invitational meet in Davao during the pre-season.
The Knights fell to an even 2-2 record and forged a logjam in the middle of the standings together with University of Perpetual Help, San Sebastian, Emilio Aguinaldo College, host Lyceum, and defending champion San Beda College.
The scores:
Mapua 77 -- Hubilla 18, Cuenco 13, Mangubat 13, Escamis 12, Recto 8, Bancale 7, Jabonete 4, Concepcion 2, Igliane 0, Agemenyi 0, Ryan 0, Pantaleon 0.
Letran 62 -- Estrada 19, Javillonar 11, Montecillo 9, Cuajao 7, Monje 4, Dimaano 3, Go 3, Jumao-As 3, Delfino 2, Miller 1, Nunag 0, Pradella 0, Tagotongan 0, Santos 0, Balilinng 0.
Quarters: 14-8; 38-28; 55-40; 77-62
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