MAPUA gained steam late to beat Benilde, 69-59, and clinch the last Final Four berth in the NCAA Season 92 basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre on Thursday.
Mapua pulled away only in the final minutes and went on to claim their 11th win in 16 games while extending the Blazers' misery with an atrocious 0-16 card.
"I'm happy but dumaan kami sa butas ng karayum ngayon," said Mapua coach Atoy Co moments after the contest.
Mapua went on a 15-5 tear to turn a slim 50-48 fourth quarter lead to a breakaway, 65-53 on Justin Serrano's putback with 2:01 remaining.
Allwell Oraeme had 16 points and 19 rebounds to lead Mapua. Joseph Eriobu and CJ Isit added 13 and eight, respectively, for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals can still clinch a twice-to-beat advantage if they beat in-form Arellano University and Perpetual in their remaining games.
Gerald Castor, Clement Leutcheu, and Carlo Young scored 10 points each for the Blazers.
The Scores:
MIT (69) - Oraeme 16, Eriobu 13, Isit 8, Menina 8, Serrano 8, Victoria 6, Estrella 4, Bunag 2, Orquina 2, Raflores 2, Aguirre 0.
CSB (59) - Castor 10, Leutcheu 10, Young 10, Domingo JJ 7, Belgica 6, Dixon 3, Pasamante 2, Pajarillaga 0, Pili 0, Saavedra 0, Suarez 0.
Quarterscores: 11-18, 31-29, 50-46, 69-59.
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