AFTER missing his chances to win it in regulation, Cyrus Cuenco got another shot at redemption in overtime and took it as he helped Mapua escape Perpetual, 65-60, in the NCAA Season 102 on Friday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Mapua sparked a 15-3 fourth quarter rally that turned the tide in Cardinals’ favor under two minutes remaining, grabbing a 54-52 cushion.
Mark Gojo Cruz kept Perpetual alive by banking in a one-hander to knot the score before blocking Cuenco’s attempt on the other end.
The Cardinals had chances to close it out in regulation, but Cuenco missed two three-pointers while Jamal Diaz also failed to convert his potential game-winner, sending the contest into overtime.
Cuenco quickly put those misses behind him, opening the extra period with a three-pointer to give Mapua a 57-54 lead before converting an and-one play and a free throw to keep the Cardinals ahead.
After LA Casinillo chipped away at the deficit from the line, Cuenco buried another triple to stretch Mapua’s lead to 63-58.
Ivan Lazarte and Rey Maglipay also made a basket each as the Cardinals cruised to fifth straight win after a 0-3 start.
Cuenco finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
“Lagi sinasabi ni coach Chito [Victolero], yung moment na yun, ano yun, nasanay kami yun. We're made for that moment, yung mga big game,” said Cuenco.
“So, yun, lagi sinasabi ni coach Chito sa amin na kung gusto mong maging great player is yung mga great moments na yun. Dapat i-grab namin yung opportunity na yun.”
Yam Concepcion and Cyrus Nitura also chipped in 14 points apiece, while Diaz added 12 markers and five rebounds.
This marked Mapua’s third straight overtime game during its five-game winning stretch, having previously survived Letran and Emilio Aguinaldo College in extra periods.
“I think it’s an ugly win for us, but we will take it. Medyo, sabi ko nga, overtime, but it is still rewarding because we learn a lot and our players matured,” said head coach Chito Victolero.
“Nagmamature sila sa mga games na nangyari sa amin. And I think it’s a big signal for the team going into this latter part of the season.”
Meanwhile, Casinillo paced Perpetual with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Gojo Cruz stuffed the stat sheet with 10 markers, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.
The Altas absorbed their fifth straight loss to fall to a 2-6 record at the bottom of Pool B.
The Scores:
MAPUA 65 - Cuenco 17, Concepcion 14, C. Nitura 14, Diaz 12, L. Nitura 2, Lazarte 2, Razon 2, Reyes 2, Igliane 0, Ryan 0, Dones 0, Liwanag 0, Timbol 0, Bernabe 0.
PERPETUAL 70 - Casinillo 17, Gojo Cruz 10, Maglupay 8, Gelsano 8, Tulabu 6, Duremdes 4, Cristino 3, Borja 2, Orgo 2, Corpuz 0.
Quarters: 11-16, 28-35, 39-45, 54-54, 65-60
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