The Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals made a huge comeback attempt and then took charge in extra time in a 101-94 win Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
With the win, the Cardinals are a game and a half ahead of fifth place Jose Rizal University. The loss, on the other hand, cuts San Beda’s lead for pole position to just half a game.
Joseph Eriobu led the Cardinals with 26 points, 10 coming from Mapua’s fourth quarter comeback that helped send the game into overtime. Reigning NCAA MVP Allwell Oraeme added 12 points, grabbed 24 huge rebounds, and swatted away a couple of shots.
“Actually, sobrang saya namin kasi bawat game na natitira, importante sa amin,” Eriobu said about Mapua first win against San Beda since October 17, 2013.
“We just focused on how to get the win. This was really big because JRU is catching up with us,” Oraeme added. “We need to focus in the next games.”
However, it was King Cardinal CJ Isit who bounced back from a disappointing 2-of-9 shooting from the foul stripe in their last loss against the San Sebastian Stags.
Isit score eight straight points in overtime in an 8-4 Mapua rally that turned a one-point deficit into a 97-94 Cardinal lead with 40 ticks remaining.
The Red Lions had a chance to tie the game in the next possession after a desperation heave by AC Soberano. Arnaud Noah was able to secure the rebound but Bolick turned the ball over, going out of bounds. Four straight free throws by Andrew Estrella sealed the win for Mapua.
The Cardinals bounced back from missing 18 free throws, shooting 21-of-31 from the foul stripe in this game. Moreover, they outrebounded the Red Lions 56 to 41.
Javee Mocon led the Red Lions with 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Robert Bolick and Davon Potts added 18 and 15 markers respectively.
The Mapua Cardinals (4th, 8-5) next face the EAC Generals on Thursday, September 9 at 2:00pm. It doesn’t get any easier for the Sasn Beda Red Lions (1st, 11-3) however as it faces the JRU Heavy Bombers (5th, 7-6) on Tuesday, September 6 at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
MIT (101) – Eriobu 26, Isit 15, Menina 14, Oraeme 12, Biteng 11, Estrella 10, Serrano 7, Bunag 6, Victoria 0, Orquina 0.
SBC (97) – Mocon 19, Bolick 18, Potts 15, Noah 10, Tongco 7, Sara 6, Soberano 5, Presbitero 4, Adamos 4, Oftana 4, Navarro 3, Carlos 2, Alas 0, Bahio 0.
Quarterscores: 19-17, 39-43, 60-65, 87-87, 101-97 (OT)
