BY ABBY TORALBA
MAPUA University downed Emilio Aguinaldo College 83-77 yesterday for its 11th win and regained the top spot in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Clint Escamis scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and issued four assists for the Cardinals, while Warren Bonificio added 14 markers. JC Recto also had 12 points and 10 boards as Mapua rose to 11-3.
The Generals absorbed a second straight loss and slipped to 7-7 for sixth.
“Of course, masaya kami kasi ito naman iyong gusto namin pero gaya lang ng laging pinapaalala ng coaches gaya ni coach Randy sa team na hindi namin dapat tingnan kung nasan kami ngayon,” Cardinals assistant coach JR Carlos said. “Kumbaga, one game at a time kasi walang madali.”
Earlier, San Sebastian College clobbered also-ran defending three-time champion Letran 94-75 to stay in the hunt for a Final Four slot.
Rafael Are dropped a game-high 23 points along with four caroms and six dimes for the Golden Stags, while Romel Calahat hada 21 markers.
Alex Desoyo and Reggz Gabat also added 13 points each, while Tristan Felebrico had 10 for San Sebastian, which improved to 5-9.
The Knights absorbed their 13th defeat of the season with a lone triumph to show.
“Siyempre one game at a time,” Stags strategist John Kallos said. “Kung may chance pa kami, we’ll do our best in each and every game and to learn from it, iyon lang naman goal namin.”
