By: Joaquin Cortez
Mapúa University came through in the clutch once again, overcoming a 13-point deficit to fend off the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 65-60, and extend its winning streak to five games in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
With the victory, the Cardinals remained the league’s hottest team, improving to 5-3. Meanwhile, Perpetual continued its nearly month-long search for a win, having last beaten San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Sept. 21. The Altas dropped to 2-6 following the loss.
Friday’s victory marked Mapúa’s third consecutive game decided in overtime, following a five-point win over Emilio Aguinaldo College and a narrow escape against Colegio de San Juan de Letran after the latter mounted a second-half surge on Monday.
“The quote of the day was ‘toughness’ and I knew it would be a grind-it-out game and even a 45-minute game,” said Cardinals head coach Chito Victolero. “It was all about our toughness, grit, and resiliency. I think we had a bad game, but we will take it.”
The Altas made an early statement against the league’s hottest team, with JM Tulabut sinking two free throws to give Perpetual its largest lead of the game at 35-22.
However, the Cardinals ramped up their defensive intensity in the third quarter, limiting the Altas to just 10 points. Mapúa then closed the period with a 9-4 run, capped by Marcus Nitura’s triple that trimmed the deficit to six, 45-39, heading into the final quarter.
Mapúa’s struggles at the free-throw line opened the door for Perpetual, as Alex Borja capitalized with a layup to restore the Altas’ double-digit lead at 49-39.
After Rey Maglupay drained a triple to put Perpetual ahead, 52-42, Mapúa refused to back down, unleashing an 11-0 run in three minutes, capped by Cyrus Cuenco’s timely triple that gave the Cardinals a 53-52 lead with just over two minutes remaining.
However, the Cardinals continued to struggle at the free-throw line down the stretch, converting just one of four attempts. Mark Gojo Cruz capitalized on the opportunity with a layup to tie the game at 54-all with 1:15 remaining.
Mapúa had nearly a minute to put the game away but failed to convert on all four attempts, despite securing offensive rebounds, sending the contest into overtime.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the extra period. Cuenco, however, knocked down a deep triple to give the Cardinals a three-point cushion, 57-54, with three minutes remaining.
Mapúa came up with crucial defensive stops before Cuenco buried another long-range triple to extend the Cardinals’ lead to five, 63-58, with 1:45 left.
Ivan Lazarte then put the finishing touches on the victory with a basket inside to stretch Mapúa’s lead to 65-58 and keep its winning streak alive.
“‘Yung sinasabi ni Coach Chito sa amin ‘yung mindset namin nung first half parang hindi kami yun, hindi Mapúa basketball lalo na ‘yung defense namin kasi defense is our best offense,” Lazarte said. “Ni-remind namin ‘yung isa’t isa, especially ‘yung coaches na laruin namin ang Mapúa basketball at kung paano kami maglaro talaga.”
Cuenco paced the Cardinals with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four triples, while Yam Concepcion and Nitura chipped in 14 points apiece. Jamal Diaz added 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
LA Casinillo led the Altas with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Gojo Cruz contributed 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Mapúa will look to close its crossover round on a high note when it faces San Sebastian on Monday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m. Perpetual, meanwhile, aims to snap its losing streak against Jose Rizal University on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m.
Both games will be held at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Scores:
Mapúa 65 – Cuenco 17, Concepcion 14, M. Nitura 14, Diaz 12, L. Nitura 2, Lazarte 2, Razon 2, Reyes 2, Igliane 0, Ryan 0, Dones 0, Liwanag 0, Timbol 0, Bernabe 0.
Perpetual Help 60 – Casinillo 17, Gojo Cruz 10, Maglupay 8, Gelsano 8, Tulabut 6, Duremdes 4, Cristino 3, Borja 2, Orgo 2, Corpuz 0.
Quarterscores: 11-16, 28-35, 39-45, 54-54, 65-60.
