Mapua bucked the absence of coach Randy Alcantara as it routed San Sebastian, 95-79, Wednesday – keeping them tied with College of St. Benilde for first in NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Cardinals, who had already clinched a Final Four spot and a twice-to-beat advantage, asserted their dominance from the outset and sealed the game with a powerful third-quarter surge.
The win improved their record to 14-3, putting them one victory away from sweeping the second round.
Mapua’s next and final regular-season game is set for Saturday against Arellano University at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Yam Concepcion and Chris Hubilla stepped up in a big way, especially with Clint Escamis and Lawrence Mangubat facing tighter defense.
Concepcion filled the stat sheet with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Hubilla contributed 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.
The Cardinals also had contributions from JC Recto, who scored 17 points, and Joaqui Garcia, who added 12 to the team’s dominant performance.
The Cardinals held a 45-33 lead at halftime but blew the game wide open in the third quarter.
Recto ignited the offense with 13 of his 17 points coming in the period as Mapua outscored San Sebastian 36-16, stretching the lead to an insurmountable 81-49 entering the final frame.
San Sebastian, now at 5-12, has one game left on their schedule, a matchup with San Beda University on Saturday.
Despite the loss, the Stags saw strong efforts from Paeng Are, who led his team with 22 points, along with Raymart Escobido and Reggz Gabat, who contributed 16 and 14 points, respectively.
The Scores:
Mapua 95 – Concepcion 18, Hubilla 17, Recto 17, Garcia 12, Mangubat 8, Escamis 6, Abdulla 6, Bancale 4, Cuenco 3, Jabonete 2, Ryan 2, Igliane 0, Agemenyi 0, Reyno 0.
San Sebastian 79 – Are 22, Escobido 16, R. Gabat 14, Felebrico 13, Aguilar 5, Velasco 3, Cruz 3, P. Gabat 2, Ricio 1, Maliwat 0, Pascual 0, Lintol 0, Suico 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 45-33, 81-49, 95-79
