Mapúa University survived a 15-point collapse against Colegio de San Juan de Letran to escape with a 69-67 overtime victory and extend its winning streak to four games in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After opening the season with three straight losses, the Cardinals have turned their campaign around with four consecutive victories, improving to 4-3 in Group A.
Mapúa also remains unbeaten in the crossover round.
“We led by 15, but they kept on coming back; that’s the spirit of Letran. But I’d like to give credit to the composure of the whole team, these rookies,” said Mapúa head coach Chito Victolero.
“Very happy, but ‘di pa dito natatapos ang lahat. We’re trying siguro na pag-aralan ‘yung mga mali namin,” he added.
Playing without star playmaker Titing Manalili, the Knights struggled to contain Mapúa’s early offensive outburst as the Cardinals controlled the game through the first three quarters.
The Battle of Intramuros heated up in the fourth quarter, however, as Letran mounted a furious comeback despite trailing by as many as 15 points in the third period.
After building their biggest lead of the game, the Cardinals went cold offensively, allowing the Knights to unleash a 15-0 run that began in the final three minutes of the third quarter and continued into the middle of the fourth.
Letran eventually grabbed its first lead of the game, 59-58, on Justin Cargo’s fastbreak layup with 3:25 remaining.
Justine Hugo then extended the Knights’ advantage to three points from the free-throw line with less than a minute left.
Ivan Lazarte stopped the bleeding with an and-one play, tying the game at 61-all with 50 seconds remaining.
Mapúa had a chance to reclaim the lead, but Lance Nitura’s jumper was blocked by Kevin Santos. The Knights, meanwhile, failed to convert on their final possession, sending the game into overtime.
Lance and Marcus Nitura took charge in the extra period, combining for seven points to give the Cardinals a 68-64 cushion.
Hugo kept Letran within striking distance with a tough layup that cut the deficit to two, 69-67, with 32 seconds remaining. However, the Knights failed to connect on a potential game-tying jumper as Mapúa held on for the victory.
The Cardinals secured their second consecutive overtime win after defeating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-84, on October 6.
“It’s character-building for us. I think ‘yung mga ganitong laro, it’s a big morale-booster for everyone and ‘yung maturity ng team ko,” Victolero added.
Five Cardinals finished with 11 points, led by Yam Concepcion, who recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds despite fouling out.
Lance Nitura, Jamal Diaz, Marc Cuenco, and Lazarte also scored 11 points apiece.
Mapúa will look to extend its winning streak when it faces the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Friday, October 16, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Letran, meanwhile, absorbed its third loss of the season and dropped to 4-3 in Group B, where it is now tied with Arellano University.
Chad Gammad led all scorers with 18 points and four steals in the losing effort. Jimboy Estrada added 13 points and three steals, while Cargo chipped in 10 points and eight assists.
The Knights will look to bounce back against José Rizal University on Thursday, October 15, at the same venue.
The Scores:
Mapúa 69 – Concepcion 11, L. Nitura 11, Diaz 11, Cuenco 11, Lazarte 11, M. Nitura 6, Reyes 3, Igliane 2, Bernabe 2, Dones 1, Mendoza 0, Liwanag 0, Razon 0.
Letran 67 – Gammad 18, Estrada 13, Cargo 10, Montecillo 6, Santos 6, Walker 6, Hugo 4, Buensalida 4, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 38-30, 53-49, 61-61, 69-67.
