MAPUA relied on its three-point artillery anew to reap handsome dividends against an out-of-sync College of St. Benilde yesterday.
Leaning on a fiery start and a sustained charge, the Cardinals ripped the Blazers 84-65 for their second straight win and gained solo third in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
Brian Lacap scattered a game-high 22 points spiked by four triples, pulled down four rebounds, and issued two assists for Mapua, while Paolo Hernandez went 4-of-6 from beyond the arc to finish with 17 markers and seven boards.
Rence Nocum also had 14 and six for the Cards, who shot 12-of-33 from deep, in stark contrast to CSB’s woeful 1-of-18 clip.
Mapua, coming off a 95-83 thumping of Perpetual Help last April 13, raised its record to 5-2.
The Blazers absorbed their second straight loss, including a stunning 68-74 setback at the hands of Jose Rizal University last April 12, and dropped to 4-3 for fourth.
In the second game, San Sebastian College turned back hard-fighting Jose Rizal University 70-64 for its third win.
Hardworking big man JM Calma tallied game-bests productions of 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Golden Stags, while Rommel Calahat added 13 markers and six caroms.
