Streaking Mapua University may have been out to pick up a crucial win in their bid to return to the Final Four, but Cardinal Paolo Hernandez shared that it was a goal of theirs to deal powerhouse San Beda University its first defeat of NCAA Season 97 as well.
And they did just that on Saturday, with Mapua emerging victorious, 68-54, for a 6-2 record while giving San Beda its first taste of defeat in seven games.
"Motivation namin na mabigyan namin sila ng unang talo nila," said Hernandez, who keyed their win with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Despite the stellar performance from Hernandez, it was far from a solo effort for the Cardinals, who drew contributions from up and down the roster.
Also pivotal for Mapua were Toby Agustin and big man Warren Bonifacio who combined for 28 points to help lead the Cardinals.
"Sinasabi ni coach Randy (Alcantara) [na] walang first group or second group sa team namin. Lahat pwede mag-start so same mentality na lang ako. Iti-treat namin every game as championship," he said.
"Be ready lang lagi kung mapa-first stringer man or second so maganda naman 'yung resulta," Hernandez added.
And despite the San Beda upset being a feat in itself, they know the win is crucial to their campaign.
"Big game to kasi motivation namin ay makapasok sa Final Four and every game counts eh."
Mapua still has a chance to finish in the top two and qualify for the Final Four outright. They have one more assignment left — a clash versus Lyceum of the Philippines University — on their elimination round schedule.
San Beda, meanwhile, has two tough outings waiting for them this week in College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
—JMB, GMA News
