Mapua University put up a defensive clinic handing San Beda University its first loss, 68-54, in NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball, Saturday at La Salle Green Hills’ St. Benilde Gym in the Mandaluyong City.
Mapua inched closer to their victims with a 6-2 win-loss record and booked themselves an appearance in the postseason — their first time since 2016. Meanwhile, San Beda slipped to 6-1 and just half a game ahead of the Cardinals.
With a slim four-point lead heading into the third quarter, the Cardinals pushed the lead to double digits at 50-40 with a 4-0 ending run with back-to-back baskets off Toby Agustin and Adrian Nocum.
These two wingmen then combined for the 8-2 run that held back the Red Lions for good with 5:45 minutes left in the game. Two consecutive triples off Nocum and an Agustin attack to the basket sent the Cardinals to a 60-46 lead.
“Una sa lahat, cino-congrats ko yung mga players ko na talagang ginawa nila yung mga assignments nila, yung mga trabaho nila,” Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara commented on his team’s handiwork.
“And of course, San Beda ‘yon eh. Pinapaalala ko lang yung mga sinabi nila dati na magta-trabaho sila, magpapakita kila sa offense and defense. Sinabi ko na makipag-compete lang sila nang makipag-compete every possession,” he continued.
Paolo Hernandez stuffed the stat sheets off the bench, finishing with a double-double performance of 14 points and 13 rebounds to go with two assists and two steals, while Agustin finished with 15 markers — including that finishing 4-0 run, four boards, and one steal.
Nocum added eight points — including those two triples and 67-percent shooting from behind the arc — to go with four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.
James Canlas paced the Red Lions with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and one steal, but also committed four turnovers. Meanwhile, Ralph Penuela ended with 13 points, three assists, two steals, and a rebound.
The Cardinals will close out their elimination round campaign against Lyceum of the Philippines University (2-5) on April 27 at 12 NN., while the Red Lions will look to bounce back against another tough team in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (5-3) on April 26 at 12 NN.
The Scores:
Mapua 68 — Agustin 15, Hernandez 14, Bonifacio 13, Pido 8, Nocum 8, Lacap 5, Gamboa 5, Salenga 0, Mercado 0.
San Beda 54 –– Canlas 14, Penuela 13, Amsali 6, Andrada 5, Gallego 4, Bahio 3, Sanchez 3, Alfaro 2, Ynot 2, Cuntapay 2, Abuda 0, Villejo 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 31-27, 50-40, 68-54.
