BY ABBY TORALBA
THANKS to its stifling defense on the usually fiery San Beda attack, Mapua University moved within a win of ending a 32-year title drought yesterday.
The Cardinals turned back the Red Lions 68-63 in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals duel for the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Rookie Clint Escamis, set to be named the season MVP in Game 2 on Sunday, Dec. 10, led Mapua with 18 points, on top of six boards, two assists, and three steals, while Paolo Hernandez delivered a double-double outing of 16 markers and 12 boards.
Ryle Rosillo also scored 15 points, while Warren Bonifacio and JC Recto combined for 11.
A decider, if necessary, is set on Dec. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Alam naman natin San Beda is deadly sa three points,” said skipper Bonifacio, who spoke on behalf of coach Randy Alcantara, who apologetically begged off from the customary post-game media interview after feeling dizzy late in the game. “Ilang araw din kaming nag-practice, takbuhan at close out sa three points nila, buti maganda naging resulta sa game.
“End or gitna ng third quarter, nag-suffer ako ng cramps, minanage ko time ko, sa fourth quarter doon ko binuhos,” added Escamis.
James Payosing led the Red Lions with 14 points and 12 boards, Jomel Puno fired 12 markers and nine rebounds, while Jacob Cortez, who went scoreless in the first half, had 12.
But Bonifacio warned it would be folly to count the chickens before they hatch.
“We’re glad nakuha first game in the series, pero hindi naman dun natatapos, job’s not done yet,” said Bonifacio. “Alam naman namin babawi San Beda sa Game Two, kailangang maging ready lang kami.”
The Lions appeared to have ridden the crest of their giant-sized upset wins over the Pirates in the semis and looked headed to catching another one when they led by eight 29-21 in the second period.
But the Cardinals fought off finals jitters and unleashed a 15-2 salvo, transforming that deficit into a 36-31 halftime edge.
It was the spark Mapua needed in mounting a 16-point lead and close to breaking the hearts and the back of San Beda.
Until Cortez, shadowed and shackled by revelation Ryle Rosillo most of the game, came alive by draining that miraculous three-pointer from near the half court line before the end of the third canto.
It somehow flipped a switch as San Beda came roaring back and cut it to just three late before coming short in the end, no thanks to Mapua’s defense and Escamis’ endgame brilliance.
