By: Brenn Allen Flores
Cyrus Cuenco delivered a clutch performance for Mapúa University, sinking a game-winning three-pointer to secure an 82-79 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College to remain at solo second in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Men’s Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday.
The game was tightly contested, with the score tied at 79-all in the fourth quarter after Kyle Jacob and Cuenco traded free throws.
Cuenco then seized the moment, sinking a long three-pointer over Jacob to give Mapúa a crucial lead with just 15.2 seconds remaining.
King Gurtiza’s attempt to tie the game missed after hitting the front rim, securing Mapúa’s eighth victory in the tournament.
“Ineexpect ko naman na lahat ng makakalaban namin is ganito ‘yong sitwasyon namin, and ‘yon matatag ang soul eh, and swerte nalang na sa amin napunta yong panalo,” said Mapúa head coach Randy Alcantara after the game.
With the win, Mapua raised its slate to eight wins and two losses, while EAC is now tied with the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta for sixth place, both holding identical win-loss records of 6-6.
Both teams started with a back-and-forth pace until Jude Bagay sank a layup, giving the Generals a slight advantage after the first frame, 21-19.
Mapúa managed to take the lead at halftime, 46-44, as Clint Escamis scored 10 points, helping the Cardinals outscore EAC 27-23 in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Harvey Pagsanjan hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one point, bringing the score to 48-47 for EAC. However, Escamis and Chris Hubilla combined for 11 points, extending Mapúa’s lead to 63-57 heading into the final period.
The Cardinals threatened to pull away in the last quarter, but a 15-6 run led by Gurtiza tied the game at 77-all.
Marc Igliane will miss Mapúa’s next game after receiving a disqualifying foul on James Manacho midway through the second quarter.
Cuenco finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds, shooting 45.6 percent from the field, while Escamis led the Cardinals with 23 points and six boards, making seven of his 14 shots.
Alcantara acknowledged that the game could have swung either way, praising Cuenco’s timely plays in the clutch.
“First round palang nakita naman natin talaga na pwede mag-take charge kahit sino sa kanila. Even the rookies, may tiwala naman ako doon. Kahit si Hubilla yon or si Mangubat yon doon sa last shot, ok pa rin naman,” he remarked.
“Siyempre natapat sa mga beterano like Cyrus, luckily nashoot yong last shot niya and yong crucial free throws.”
Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat rounded out Mapúa’s double-digit scorers with 16 and 10 points, respectively.
Mapúa will look to continue its momentum against Colegio San Juan de Letran on Friday, October 18, at 2:30 p.m.
For EAC, Pagsanjan led the way with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Gurtiza struggled offensively but still contributed 14 points.
The Generals will aim to bounce back against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Saturday, October 19, at 2:30 p.m.
The Scores:
Mapua 82 – Escamis 23, Cuenco 16, Hubilla 16, Mangubat 10, Recto 7, Concepcion 3, Igliane 3, Ryan 0, Agemenyi 0, Fermin 0, Pantaleon 0, Abdulla 0
Emilio Aguinaldo 79 – Pagsanjan 17, Gurtiza 14, Quinal 10, Bagay 8, Jacob 7, Oftana 6, Manacho 5, Lucero 4, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Luciano 2, Loristo 2, Postanes 0, Umpad 0, Devara 0
Quarterscores: 19-21, 46-44, 63-57, 82-79
