LAURENZ Victoria drained the game-winning basket with 1.2 seconds left in the clock as Mapua came away with an 81-79 win over Jose Rizal University on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
With the game tied at 79 following clutch free throws from Mark Mallari, Victoria took matters into his own hands as he attacked Jed Mendoza and hit a tough fade-away jumper to give the Cardinals the lead.
JR Aguilar had one last to send the game to overtime but his shot off the glass rattled out.
"Sana, tuloy-tuloy na ito. Maniwala sila na maganda ang lahat ng ginagawa namin. Today, we played more aggressive compared to our past games," said Mapua head coach Atoy Co as they ended a six-game skid to improve to 3-8.
Victoria capped off the night with 17 points but he was more impressive on the defensive end, holding Jed Mendoza to just three points in the second half after exoloding for 19 in the first two quarters.
"I praise Laurenz because he was able to control Mendoza. Luckily, yung last four points, siya pa nakascore," Co said.
Rookie Warren Bonifacio also had a solid night with 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks as Noah Lugo and Cedric Pelayo chipped in 10 apiece.
Mallari added 18 for the Heavy Bombers as they dropped to 2-10.
The scores:
MAPUA 81 - Victoria 17, Bonifacio 13, Lugo 10, Pelayo 10, Aguirre 7, Gamboa 6, Serrano 6, Buñag 4, Biteng 4, Jabel 4, Nieles 0.
JRU 79 - Mendoza 22, Mallari 18, Silvarez 13, Estrella 9, Aguilar 5, Esguerra 4, Dela Virgen 3, Bordon 2, Miranda 2, Padua 1, Doromal 0, David 0.
Quarters: 15-17, 36-42, 60-55, 81-79
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