Brian Lacap waxed hot late in the game to give Mapua University a come-from-behind victory against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 70-64, to open their NCAA Season 97 campaign on Sunday at La Salle Green Hills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
The Generals led for the majority of the match and extended it to as much as seven points, 41-37, as Kriss Gurtiza and Marwin Taywan combined, forcing Mapua coach Randy Alcantara to call for time, 5:44 left in the third quarter.
From there, Mapua slowly ate up the lead before finally getting the advantage off a Warren Bonifacio jumper 1:23 left in the game. Lacap then pushed the lead to four in the following possession, 68-64, with finishing a basket in transition plus the bonus free-throw.
The crafty guard Lacap then found two wide-open teammates for the drive, first Bonifacio with 37 seconds left and then Jeric Pido just three seconds after to seal virtually the win.
Gurtiza provided EAC’s last stand with another outside jumper, but it was too late as the time ran out for another possession with Mapua running out with the win.
Team captain Bonifacio shared the importance of taking the win in this short season. He said, “Sabi lang ng coaches namin na i-treat every game namin na championship eh. Parang, ibigay na lahat namin ng lahat ng 100-percent namin.
“Tsaka since tight nga yung schedule, pinaka-importanteng sinasabi sa ‘min ng coaches yung kalusugan namin. Tapos yung pahinga namin importante kasi hindi biro yung NC ngayon. Dikit-dikit yung mga laro at every training focus lang,” added Bonifacio, who had seven points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and a block.
Lacap, who previously played for University of the East, also added six boards along with those points and two assists to pace the Cardinals. Adrian Nocum was held scoreless in the second half after going huge in the first with 20 points to lead all scorers.
Arvin Gamboa ended with eight markers, three rebounds, and three assists.
Gurtiza still ended with a career-high of 21 points to go with four rebounds for the Generals.
Allen Liwag and Marwin Taywan also both finished in double digits in points with 16 and 13, respectively. Liwag also grabbed eight rebounds and four blocks, while Taywan dished out five assists and took three boards and a steal.
Mapua will face JRU on Friday also at 3:00 PM. Meanwhile, EAC will battle San Beda on Wednesday at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
MU 73 — Nocum 20, Lacap 14, Gamboa 8, Bonifacio 7, Agustin 7, Pido 5, Hernandez 5, Sual 5, Asuncion 1, Garcia 1, Mercado 0, Soriano 0, Udal 0.
EAC 67 — Gurtiza 21, Liwag 16, Taywan 13, Robin 9, Cadua 3, Fuentes 3, Umpad 2, Ad. Doria 0, Luciano 0, An. Doria 0, Cosa 0, Bunyi 0, Maguliano 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 32-32, 47-51, 73-67
