MAPUA University held its ground in the face of a vicious San Sebastian Collee fightback and was aptly rewarded yesterday.
The Cardinals edged the Golden Stags 65-59 for their third straight win and a share of the lead in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
The win appeared to be in the bag for Mapua after it took a 47-28 spread in the third quarter and enjoyed a 53-41 lead going into the fourth canto.
But San Sebastian razed the deficit and threatened at 55-59 on a JM Calma basket with a little over two minutes left in the final stanza.
The Cards, however, doused cold water on the Stags’ comeback with a backbreaking three-pointer by Paolo Hernandez that pegged a 62-55 count, only 1:39 left.
Warren Bonifacio took charge for Mapua with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Brian Lacap chipped in 14 markers, three boards, and three assists.
Hernandez also had 12 and eight for the Cards, who remained unbeaten in three starts in a tie with defending champion Letran and San Beda University.
In the second game, College of St. Benilde humbled Emilio Aguinaldo College 78-68 for its third win in a row and solo fourth.
Robi Nayve tallied 18 points, grabbed three rebounds, and issued two assists for the Blazers, while Will Gozum had a double-double of 18 markers and 10 caroms.
Joshua Marcos and Ray Carlos also combined for 20 points as CSB came up with a big follow-up to its 76-71 win over Arellano University three days ago and hiked its record to 3-1. The Generals, coming off a 70-69 escape over the Lyceum Pirates last Saturday, dropped to 1-3.
Mapua coach Randy Alcantara lauded his charges, who are fresh from a 59-56 triumph over Jose Rizal University last Friday, for showing grit.
“Masaya at very proud ako sa mga players ko dahil hindi sila sumuko hanggang dulo. Alam naman natin ang San Sebastian na iyong line-up nila talagang malakas. Iyong mga players natin nakipag-bakbakan,” Alcantara said.
