Paolo Hernandez and Mapua University ended their NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament on a high note after beating San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 75-67, on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Hernandez produced 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks to lead the Cardinals to a 7-11 finish after 18 games of elimination, tied with Arellano and Perpetual.
The Stags on the other hand, ended their campaign with an 8-10 win-loss record at the five spot.
Tied at 60-apiece at the midway of the payoff period, Hernandez and Nocum joined hands together scoring all of Mapua’s 15 points till the buzzer sounded, ending the game with a 15-7 run.
It was San Sebastian who were controlling the game most of the contest as the lead even grew to as much as 13, 6-19, early in the ball game following a Rafael Are deep ball.
The Cardinals slowly but surely clawed back from the game as they even exchanged leads with the Stags seven times.
“Sabi ko nga kung gusto namin manalo sa game na’to, kailangan simulan namin sa depensa — yung energy. Kasi nga nakita naman natin sa game na to malambot o medyo maraming lapses sa defense e, so kaya lumobo mg ganun yung lamang. So sabi ko sa kanila ipakita niyo kung gusto niyo talaga manalo. Ipakita niyo sa depensa,” said MU head coach Randy Alcantara.
Nocum finished with 17 points on 85-percent shooting and four rebounds, while Jasper Salenga had 14 markers, four boards and three swipes.
For San Sebastian, Ichie Altamirano scored a game-high 24 points together with four rebounds and three assists. Rommel Calahat ended with 13 markers and 15 boards.
The Scores:
Mapua 75 — Hernandez 22, Nocum 17, Salenga 14, Bonifacio 7, Agustin 5, Cuenco 3, Igliane 3, Pido 2, Soriano 2, Garcia 0, Mercado 0, Gamboa 0, Lacap 0.
San Sebastian 67 — Altamirano 24, Calahat 13, Are 9, Una 8, Aguilar 4, Villapando 2, Sumoda 2, Escobido 2, Suico 2, Paglinawan 0, Concha 0, Cosari 0.
Quarterscores: 6-19, 29-32, 46-51, 75-67.
