MAPUA went through the wringer before taking down Jose Rizal University, 75-71, in a thrilling NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament game Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
The Cardinals didn’t have the game in the bag until reigning MVP Clint Escamis scored on a breakaway layup off his own rebound and a technical foul was whistled on Heavy Bombers coach Louie Gonzales in a heated end to a closely-fought contest.
Yam Concepcion, taking over after the ejection of John Jabonete for an unsportsmanlike foul, came a rebound short of a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds and split his charities with 3.4 seconds to go for the marginal score.
Escamis, who will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, added 14 points and seven assists for the Cardinals, who improved to a 7-3 record in a tie with defending champion San Beda at second place.
“Andun na, nangyari na. Kami ngang mga coaches palaging sinasabi sa kanila (Cardinals), dapat wala kaming ganun na mga unsportsmanlike fouls especially ngayong second round. Lahat gusting manalo, yung intensity, mataas yung energy,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.
“Sana ma-correct namin yun, at maglaro lang kami talaga ng pure basketball.”
After Escamis scooted away for a layup, the Heavy Bombers answered back on a Joshua Guiab basket underneath to threaten anew, 73-71.
But Gonzales was given a technical foul as the Jose Rizal coaching staff felt Chris Hubilla committed a foul on Marvin Raymundo during a rebound battled with 3.4 seconds left.
The veteran coach stormed inside the court and was seen confronting game officials for the non-call.
Instead, he was given a technical in return, and a foul was called on Ivan Panapanaan, leading to three free throws for the Cardinals.
Escamis missed on the technical free throw, before Concepcion split on his charities to seal the game for Mapua.
Guiab and Shawn Argente finished with 16 apiece to lead the Heavy Bombers, who fell to a 3-7 record to start their second round campaign.
The scores
Mapua 75 -- Concepcion 19, Escamis 14, Hubilla 13, Cuenco 11, Igliane 6, Jabonete 6, Mangubat 3, Agemenyi 3, Bancale 0, Abdulla 0, Garcia 0, Pantaleon 0, Fermin 0.
Jose Rizal 71 -- Guiab 16, Argente 16, Lozano 8, Bernardo 8, Raymundo 5, Medina 5, De Jesus 4, Benitez 4, Ferrer 3, Panapanaan 2, Pangilinan 0, Garcia 0, De Leon 0, Samontales 0.
Quarters: 27-20; 37-36; 54-50; 75-70.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
