MAPUA University kept its winning run going at the expense of reigning three-time champion Letran, which continued to fade yesterday.
Boosted by playmaker Clint Escamis, the Cardinals eked out a 77-71 victory over for their third straight win in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Escamis, a former Mapua standout in high school who previously saw action for University of the East, uncorked 20 points on top of seven rebounds and five assists while Marc Cuenco wound up with 20 markers and 10 boards.
Warren Bonifacio also added 11 points and eight rebounds for Mapua, which scored a big follow-up to a 73-69 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College four days back and rose to 5-1 for solo second.
The woeful Letran side could not atone for an 80-87 defeat at the hands of Arellano University last Sunday and fell to 0-6–the worst start by a defending titlist in recent memory.
In the first game, EAC shocked erstwhile unbeaten Lyceum with an 83-76 overtime triumph.
King Gurtiza wound up with 18 points, eight caroms, and two dimes for the Generals, who also drew 14 markers, seven rebounds and two feeds from Nat Cosejo.
Ralph Robin and Nicole Quinal also had 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Jerson Cabiltes-mentored EAC hiked its card to 3-2 in a tie with San Beda University at fourth.
The Pirates, who missed the services of prized burly big man Shawn Umali due to a one-game suspension after being ejected in their 67-62 decision over the Red Lions last Sunday, dropped to 6-1 but still held on to the No. 1 spot.
Vince Cuajao fired six three-pointers and finished with 20 points for the Knights, while Kurt Reyson had 16 markers, four boards, and six assists.
Kevin Santos also contributed 14 and 11 for Letran.
“Every game, our character is being tested. Iyong last two games, we didn’t finish well, especially our last game against Mapua,” Generals strategist Jerson Cabiltes said.
“Right after that sinabi ko lang sa players ko na during those crucial moments dapat buo iyong loob natin. Buo ang loob natin to take the last shot, to create, to make the right decisions, and good thing that we made good decisions today.”
