Paolo Hernandez and Rence Nocum took over in a fourth quarter rally as Mapua University came back to life to deny San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 75-67, in NCAA Season 98 on Wednesday.
Hernandez and Nocum combined to score 25 of the Cardinals' 29 fourth quarter points as they turned the game around in the final period to clinch the win.
Hernandez finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, and five assists to lead the way while Nocum finished with 17 points. Hernandez scored 13 of his total in the fourth while Nocum shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the final period for 12 markers.
Mapua ended its campaign on a high note, improving to a 7-11 card while San Sebastian also wrapped up its run with an 8-10 slate.
After steadying the ship in the first half, where the Stags held a 32-29 cushion, San Sebastian's Ichie Altamirano continued his offensive onslaught in the third, unleashing back-to-back triples as part of a personal 8-0 run, as their lead ballooned to 13, 48-35.
But the Cardinals managed to end the frame with just a 51-46 deficit with the graduating Jasper Salenga and Warren Bonifacio bringing them back.
A Nocum basket finally gave Mapua the lead, 55-54, before he completed a four-point play to give Mapua a 66-62 advantage.
Hernandez then put the nail in the coffin with five straight points, including a huge triple, as the Cardinals completed the comeback win.
Altamirano led San Sebastian with 24 points while Romel Calahat notched 13 points and 15 rebounds.
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 9, Aguilar 4, Villapando 2, Sumoda 2, Escobido 2, Suico 2, Paglinawan 0, Concha 0, Cosari 0.
Quarters: 6-19, 29-32, 46-51, 75-67.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
