Mapua University dropped Jose Rizal University from Cloud 9, taking an 88-81 win for a share of second in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
The Cardinals’ depth proved overwhelming for the Heavy Bombers, who were fresh off a hard-fought 92-89 win over the Arellano Chiefs last Friday — their first victory of the season.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis led the charge for Mapua, contributing 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists to help the Cardinals improve their record to 5-2, tying them with their rivals, the Letran Knights.
Supporting Escamis was the impressive rookie duo of Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla.
Mangubat finished with 16 points and five rebounds, while Hubilla added 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Hubilla set the tone early in the game, scoring 10 of Mapua’s 32 points in the opening frame, which helped establish a commanding lead.
Although the Heavy Bombers managed to cut the Cardinals’ once 32-point advantage down to eight late in the fourth quarter, Mangubat and Jeco Bancale stepped up to quell the rally and secure Mapua’s second consecutive win.
Marc Cuenco contributed 13 points, while Bancale added 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Looking ahead, Mapua will face off against Arellano on Wednesday.
On the losing side, Joshua Guiab led the Heavy Bombers with 17 points, while Ivan Panapanaan added 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Joseph Pangilinan also contributed 12 points.
JRU will aim to bounce back as they prepare to take on Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday.
The Scores:
Mapua 88 – Escamis 19, Mangubat 16, Hubilla 15, Cuenco 13, Bancale 10, Jabonete 4, Igliane 4, Concepcion 4, Garcia 3, Ryan 0, Fermin 0, Agemenyi 0, Pantaleon 0.
Jose Rizal 81 – Guiab 17, Panapanaan 15, Pangilinan 12, Raymundo 11, Argente 11, Benitez 4, Garcia 4, Mosqueda 2, De Jesus 2, De Leon 2, Ramos 0, Samontanes 0, Sarmiento 0, Ferrer 0.
Quarterscores: 32-18, 57-41, 71-57, 88-81.
