Mapua University turned things around in the second half to claw its way back from a 16-point deficit en route to a 77-67 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 98 on Saturday.
The Cardinals overcame their large early deficits as they outscored the Generals, 47-24, in the second half to cruise to the victory.
Warren Bonifacio led the way with 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists while Marc Cuenco made some key contributions with 16 markers and eight rebounds.
Rence Nocum and Paolo Hernandez bucked slow starts to finish with 11 and eight points, respectively, with 17 of their combined 19 points coming in the second half. Nocum also grabbed nine boards in the win.
After trailing all the way in the first half, the Cardinals found their groove in the third, erasing what was once a double-digit deficit and taking the lead, 48-47, after a free throw from Hernandez.
They dominated the Generals, 27-10, to close the frame with a 57-53 lead.
In the fourth, Cuenco ignited a 16-4 blitz for Mapua to open the frame as they took a comfortable lead, 73-57.
EAC tried to mount a comeback of its own, pulling to within 13, 75-62, with a Nat Cosejo basket but Mapua held on until the final buzzer.
Mapua bounced back from a previous loss to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to improve to 3-9. EAC, on the other hand, dropped to 1-11.
Mapua had a tough start as they fell behind 23-8 in the first quarter.
EAC led by 16 early on before closing out the first half holding a 43-30 cushion as Cosejo continued his impressive showing for the Generals, collecting 14 points at the half to lead EAC.
Cosejo finished with 18 points to lead EAC while Adrian Balowa was the only other General in double figures with 11.
The scores:
Mapua 77 - Bonifacio 18, Cuenco 16, Nocum 11, Agustin 9, Hernandez 8, Pido 6, Soriano 4, Mercado 3, Salenga 2, Garcia 0, Lacap 0, Igliane 0.
EAC 67 - Cosejo 18, Balowa 11, Liwag 9, Maguliano 7, Cosa 7, Luciano 5, Tolentino 4, Bajon 4, Umpad 2, Ad. Doria 0, An. Doria 0, Angeles 0.
Quarters: 8-23, 30-43, 57-53, 77-67.
—JMB, GMA News
