Cards sink Pirates, gain semis

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WORKING behind the game-long brilliance of rookie Lawrence Mangubat, Mapua University edged Lyceum 69-68 yesterday for its fifth straight win and bagged a Final Four berth in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Mangubat had 16 points, including the timely hits in the endgame, to go with five rebounds and two assists for the Cardinals while fellow freshman Chris Hubilla added 14 markers and two boards.

Marc Cuenco and reigning MVP Clint Escamis also combined for 21 as Mapua rose to 11-3 just behind pacesetting College of St. Benilde (11-2), which also gained a Last Four slot.

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“Unang-una nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon kasi binigyan kami ng panalo. Si coach Randy, binigyan niya ako ng tiwala sa last shot,” Mangubat, who scored five points in the last 21 seconds, said.

“Para sa akin [(last shot), last option na talaga, timing talaga, good pass from Clint,” he added.

Later, defending champion San Beda University blasted Jose Rizal University 83-70 to bolster its bid for semis inclusion.

James Payosing dished out 18 points, six boards, three assists, a steal and a block for the Red Lions while Jomel Puno sizzled with a double-double of 17 markers and 12 rebounds.

“Of course, it’s always nice to come up with a win after a loss. You would know how your team would react coming off defeats, so this, sabi ko nga sa team, sa players, just take care of our business and do our jobs,” San Beda strategist Yuri Escueta, whose wards improved to 9-5, said. “Let’s get one game at a time. Stay at No. 3, probably slipped in the No. 2 spot so let’s just take it one game at a time.”

Renz Villegas scored 22 points for the Pirates, who slipped to 6-8, while Gyle Montano and Vincent Cunanan added nine and eight points, respectively.

Shawn Argente and Joshua Guiab combined for 29 markers for JRU, which fell to 4-10.

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