MARC Cuenco banged in the game-winning three-pointer as Mapua University nipped Emilio Aguinaldo College 82-79 yesterday and seized solo second in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Cuenco drained the triple in the final 15 seconds that prolled the Cardinals to their third straight win and an 8-2 mark overall.
Reigning MVP Clint Escamis led Mapua with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block while Cuenco dished out 16 markers, six boards and three dimes.
Rookie Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Hubilla added 16 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Cardinals.
“It’s another pahirapan (na game), pahirapan na naman. Every game naman ine-expect namin na talagang itong game na ito mahirap manalo so ni-ready lang namin at nag-stick sa madalas namin ginagawa. Buti na lang nag-take charge iyong mga veterans like Clint and Marc,” Mapua coach Randy Alcantara said. “First round pa lang, nakita naman natin talaga na puwede naman talagang mag-take charge kahit sino sa kanila.
“Even the rookies, sabi nga, tiwala naman ako doon, luckily na-shoot niya (Cuenco) iyong last shot niya at tsaka iyong crucial free throws,” he added.
Earlier, Lyceum stunned defending champion San Beda Red Lions 64-62 behind the endgame exploits of Vincent Cunanan.
Cunanan delivered 11 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal but none bigger than two straight treys in the clutch while Gyle Montano fired 12 markers, two steals and two boards for the Pirates who rose to 6-5.
“The key is the willingness, and you know naman, nakita naman natin talagang ibinibigay talaga lahat ng players naming,” Lyceum strategist Gilbert Malabanan said. “Even the first group, the second group and the third group talagang give their best, they give their effort and they’re aggressive inside the court.”
Harvey Pagsanjan led the EAC, which slipped to 5-6, with 17 points, while King Gurtiza and Guil Quinal dropped 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
Big men Bismarck Lina and Yukien Andrada paced the Red Lions, who dropped to 7-4, with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
