Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) – The Mapua University Cardinals continue their hot start in NCAA Season 97 after surviving the late game scare from the San Sebastian College Golden Stags, 65-59, on Tuesday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
The win propelled Mapua to a three-way tie on top of the team standings with Letran and San Beda, with the three teams still flawless at 3-0.
Warren Bonifacio had another solid outing for Mapua with a double-double effort of 16 points and 14 rebounds while Brian Lacap contributed 15 markers. Paolo Hernandez also logged an all-around performance of 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in their win.
The Cardinals erected a 15-point lead late in the third quarter, 51-36, as their hardwork inside the court gave them points in the paint and rainbow area along with their successful defensive stand against the Stags.
Mapua’s wide advantage was short-lived as they went scoreless for about seven minutes, from the last minute of the third canto to the first half of the fourth period.
San Sebastian fought back in the fourth quarter with crucial buckets from Ichie Altamirano and JM Calma to lessen their deficit down to four points at 55-59 under the last two minutes of the game.
Cardinals offensive sniper Hernandez stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer to extend their lead at 62-55, in the final 1:39 of the match.
Stags standouts Rommel Calaat and Kenneth Villapando nailed their own shots to again trim their deficit to four points, 59-63, but a passing turnover by Altamirano in the dying moments cost the game for San Sebastian.
After the game, Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara commended the late game poise shown by the Cardinals in maintaining their immaculate record in the league.
“Our players are so thrilled to score, that’s why we missed many shots down the stretch. I told them to increase their defensive pressure and with that, we had easy shot opportunities,” Alcantara said.
Calma and Altamirano each scored 10 points to lead the losing effort of San Sebastian, who fell to 1-2.
Mapua will battle fellow unbeaten team and defending champions Letran on Friday noon, while San Sebastian will also be back in action on that day against San Beda at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
MAPUA 65 — Bonifacio 16, Lacap 14, Hernandez 12, Nocum 8, Mercado 6, Pido 4, Garcia 2, Agustin 2, Mila 1, Sual 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 59 – Calma 10, Altamirano 10, Calahat 8, Villapando 8, Sumoda 6, Dela Cruz 6, Cosari 6, Are 2, Shanoda 2, Felebrico 1, Una 0, Desoyo 0, Loristo 0, Abarquez 0, Gabat 0
Quarterscores: 7-12, 29-23, 53-41, 65-59
