MAPUA kept its winning streak going in the second round by turning back Perpetual Help, 71-57, on Wednesday’s NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The backcourt duo of Cy Cuenco and Clint Escamis spearheaded the Cardinals’ sixth straight win that hiked their record to 12-3 overall at second place, just half a game behind no.1 College of St. Benilde.
Cuenco had a game-high 21 points and Escamis with 18 as the two hit back-to-back threes midway in the final quarter that extinguished a mini-comeback by the Altas.
The Altas were within striking distance at 53-46 when Escamis and Cuenco’s shooting fueled a 6-0 Mapua run for a 13-point lead, forcing Perpetual Help coach Olsen Racela to call a timeout.
It was also Escamis, Cuenco, and Lawrence Mangubat who paved way for the Cardinals to finally take control of the game in the third period when they outscored the Altas, 22-11, to turn around a one-point deficit at the half to a 51-41 lead heading to the final quarter.
Cuenco also went 6-of-8 from long range as he continued to prove himself as the rightful successor to former King Cardinal Paulo Hernandez.
“Nung una yun ang (concern) ng mga coaches kung sino ang magpi-fill ng shoes nung nawala si Pao. Pero andiyan na si Cy,” said coach Randy Alcantara.
“Pero pag may nawala, may nag-i-improve, may gagaling or may mag-i step up. Pasalamat din kami na naging two-way player din si Cy, andiyan na umiiskor at kaya ring dumipensa gaya ng ginagawa ni Paolo last season.”
Mapua is already assured of a berth in the Final Four, but remains in the running for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.
The Cardinals will next face St. Benilde on Sunday in a highly-anticipated showdown between the top two teams so far this season.
“Yung game na yun parang Final Four na. So need namin yun heading to the Final Four or yung sa goal namin na mag-finals,” said Cuenco.
Perpetual couldn’t sustain a fine first half and lost for the second straight game for a 6-10 slate. The Altas now need to sweep their last two outings to make a belated case for the remaining two semifinals berth.
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JP Boral led Perpetual with 14 points and Christian Pagaran with 13, although rookie guard Mark Gojo Cruz was held scoreless in the second half to finish with six points.
“Pinaka (crucial) dito yung single digit lang si Gojo Cruz, kasi nung first round double digit siya and si Pagaran. At least nadepensahan namin yung isang scorer,” Alcantara pointed out.
The Altas were also hurt by their 26 turnovers, which the Cardinals converted into 28 turnover points.
The scores
Mapua 71 - Cuenco 21, Escamis 18, Hubilla 15, Concepcion 6, Mangubat 5, Abdulla 3, Bancale 2, Recto 1, Igliane 0, Jabonete 0, Ryan 0, Garcia 0.
Perpetual Help 57 - Boral 14, Pagaran 13, Abis 9, Gojo Cruz 6, Pizarro 6, Nuñez 2, Manuel 2, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 2, Movida 1, Sevilla 0, Thompson 0.
Quarters: 16-12; 29-30; 51-41; 71-57.
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