MAPUA kept in step with the early leaders of the NCAA Season 100 after holding off Jose Rizal University, 88-81, last Sunday inside Filoil Ecooil Center in San Juan.
The victory pushed the Cardinals to a tie at second place with the Letran Knights as they now both hold 5-2 records, just half a game behind of the league-leading CSB Blazers who are currently at 5-1.
Chris Hubilla and Cy Cuenco led the early onslaught for the Cardinals as they combined for 26 points in the first half where at one point they led 42-19, before settling for a 57-41 spread at the break.
The Heavy Bombers desperately tried to storm back in the payoff period but reigning MVP Clint Escamis had all the answers for every JRU uprising to preserve the victory and take their second straight victory.
Escamis led five players in double-digits for Mapua as he scored 19 points anchored on four triples while Lawrence Mangubat added 16.
Hubilla finished with 15, Cuenco added 13 while Jeco Bancala contributed 10 points and eight boards for the Cardinals who are eyeing a return trip to the finals after missing out on a championship last season.
Joshua Guiab paced the Heavy Bombers with 17 points while Ivan Panapanaan chipped in 15 points and three blocks for the now 2-5 JRU who dropped to the bottom of the standings alongside Arellano and San Sebastian.
The scores:
MAPUA 88 - Escamis 19, Mangubat 16, Hubilla 15, Cuenco 13, Bancale 10, Jabonete 4, Igliane 4, Concepcion 4, Garcia 3, Ryan 0, Fermin 0, Agemenyi 0, Pantaleon 0
JRU 81 - Guiab 17, Panapanaan 15, Pangilinan 12, Raymundo 11, Argente 11, Benitez 4, Garcia 4, Mosqueda 2, Barrera 2, De Leon 1, Ramos 0, Samontanes 0, Sarmiento 0, Ferrer 0
Quarters: 32-18, 57-41, 71-57, 88-81
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