WITH reigning MVP Clint Escamis leading the way, Mapua University turned back Perpetual Help 71-65 yesterday for its second straight win in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Escamis dropped a career-high 28 points and added two rebounds, two assists, and three steals while Marc Cuenco dished out 12 markers and six dims.

“Kinausap ko si Cyrus Cuenco, especially kapag mga end game, last five minutes stretch, kailangan take over na tayo kasi tayo na iyong seniors. Wala nang Paolo Hernandez, wala nang Warren Bonifacio,” Escamis said. “Tayo na iyong aasahan and I’m happy for my boy na na-shoot niya iyon, crucial and nagtiwala talaga ako. In return, pinasa niya and nagtiwala din siya pabalik and I made the shot.

“We’re coming baby, redemption season,” he added.

Mapua improved to 2-1 while the Altas absorbed their first loss for a 2-1 mark.

Rookie Mark Gojo Cruz led Perpetual with 17 points while Christian Pagaran and Cedrick Abis scored 12 markers each.

Earlier, John Barba saved the day for Lyceum, which scored a 97-92 win over Jose Rizal University.

The Pirates snapped a mini two-game losing skid, thanks to Barba who unloaded a career-best 28 points, to go with five rebounds, and three assists.

It was a heartbreaking ending for the Heavy Bombers, who controlled most part of the game.

In fact, Shaw Boulevard-based squad even led by as much as 13 points and at one point, 12, in the last canto.

JRU remained winless in three matches as Jonathan Medina’s 22 points and Joshua Guiab’s 20 markers went to naugtht.