Mapua University continued its late surge in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament, outlasting a gallant San Sebastian College–Recoletos side in overtime, 77-72, for its third straight win on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
After opening the season with a rough 3-4 slate, the defending champions have now won four of their last five games, improving to 7-5 — just a full game behind the Perpetual Help Altas for the top seed in Group A.
But the Cardinals had to dig deep against the Golden Stags, watching their once 19-point third-quarter lead disappear as San Sebastian forced overtime.
“We all know San Sebastian na kahit tambakan mo, babalik at lalaban ‘yan. Alam ko yung mentality nila kasi napagdaanan ko rin ‘yan. Play like it’s no tomorrow and nothing to lose sila,” said NCAA Season 99 Most Valuable Player and Season 100 Finals MVP Clint Escamis.
Down 69-66 in extra time after a Jose Lumanag bucket, Earl Sapasap took charge, scoring six straight points to swing the momentum back to Mapua.
Although Lumanag answered with an and-one to tie the game, Yam Concepcion buried a huge triple to regain the lead.
Misses by Lumanag and Gab Nepacena then paved the way for Marc Cuenco’s clutch free throws, sealing the victory.
Cuenco led the Cardinals with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Sapasap added 11 points, five assists, and two steals.
Escamis contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
“Ayoko batiin pero nakikita natin yung magagandang results namin. Hindi pa kami dapat magkumpyansa,” Escamis added as they prepare to close the elimination round against Arellano on Friday.
San Sebastian, which dropped to 3-10, will face Lyceum in the play-ins.
Andre Lumanag led the Golden Stags with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Jhuniel Dela Rama — who forced overtime with another set of clutch heroics — finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
Reggz Gabat chipped in 11 points.
The Scores:
Mapua 77 – Cuenco 15, Escamis 14, Sapasap 11, Concepcion 8, Lazarte 7, Igliane 6, Recto 5, Delos Reyes 5, Nitura 3, Gonzales 3, Callangan 0, Reyes 0
San Sebastian 72 – Lumanag 16, Dela Rama 14, Gabat 11, Castor 9, Ricio 7, Nepacena 6, Cuajao 6, Segovia 3, Dimaunahan 0
Quarterscores: 23-13, 44-28, 52-47, 65-65, 77-72.
