A LOT has been said about how Mapua seemingly has a ‘switch’ that it can instantly turn on when the stakes are at the highest.
With its season on the line against the higher-seeded College of St. Benilde, it proved just that.
The Cardinals took control early before cruising to a comfortable, 73-58, win over the Blazers on Wednesday at the Playtime FIloil Center to forge a second do-or-die game in the NCAA Season 101 quarterfinals.
The only time the Blazers tasted the lead was at 2-0 before the Cardinals totally took control of the game for good thanks to their defense and the timely shotmaking of Cyril Gonzales late in the game.
"Ganun naman ako e, ganun naman sila coach sa akin. Pag nakakashoot ako, tuloy tuloy lang. Yung mga teammates ko, sumusuporta naman sila. Wala naman silang sinasabi. Pero siguro kaya ako nakakashoot kasi ang ganda ng depensa namin e, kaya ayun tuloy tuloy lang," Gonzales said.
"Ang sakit na ng buong pagka-tao ko, grabe pagod. Ang ganda ng laban, pisikal, wala talagang nagpapatalo samin. Although panalo kami, pero napakaganda ng laro e. Magkakatalo nalang kung sino panalo o talo [sa dulo.]
Gonzales scored seven of Mapua's last nine, taking over the down stretch to make sure that there won't be any comeback from St. Benilde this time.
His jumper with 2:32 remaining in the game gave the Cardinals a 72-58 a lead, proving the be the final nail in Benilde's coffin.
Gonzales finished with with 17 points while JC Recto added 11 points and nine rebounds. Cy Cuenco contributed 10 points and six rebounds while Drex Delos Reyes added nine points, six boards and three blocks.
Mapua is now 4-0 in playoff matches against the St. Benilde since Season 99.
Ian Torres and Shawn Umali were the only Blazers who breached double digits with 10 points apiece, showing just how much they've struggled as they only shot a collective 27.4 percent clip from the field.
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