Mapua University took the top spot in NCAA Season 99 after an enthralling win over Lyceum of the Philippines University, 87-83, Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Cardinals have won four games in a row to improve to 6-1 in the standings, while the Pirates conceded their second consecutive contest, falling to a 6-2 win-loss record.
Clint Escamis and Warren Bonifacio both put up 20 points, with the former hitting the go-ahead three to virtually give Mapua the victory. Escamis also produced nine rebounds, seven boards, and four steals, masterfully orchestrating the Cardinals offense in the clutch.
With Mapua heading into the last quarter nursing a seven-point lead, both teams exhibited a shooting showdown as they traded baskets until the dying moments of the game.
Back-to-back triples from Shawn Umali and John Bravo tied the ball-game at 77, while Mapua’s Paolo Hernandez scored on the interior to bring the game back level, 82-82.
The difference came in the form of Escamis, as with 36 ticks left on the clock, the six-foot guard drained a top-of-the-key triple to put the Cardinals ahead by three points, 85-82.
Lyceum would still have another shot at tying the game, but three-point attempts by Umali and Renz Villegas’ failed to hit its mark.
Escamis would put the finishing touches at the charity stripe, 87-83, as he got fouled after grabbing the rebound off of an intentional Enoch Valdez miss from the free-throw line in hopes of a last ditch triple attempt.
After the tightly contested match, Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara voiced that he is happy with the resilience his troops showed down the stretch.
“Sabi ko, napanood ko na 'yan. Pinanood ko kasi 'yung Lyceum versus Arellano eh. So ganun din 'yung ginawa nila, nag-lead 'yung Arellano at nakabalik sa overtime tapos nanalo pa sila. Kaya sabi ko, kung magpapabaya tayo, sayang naman 'yung trinabaho n'yo nung first half…so buti na lang composed pa rin 'yung mga players at naka-execute pa din kami,” said Alcantara.
(I told them that I have seen that already. I watched the Lyceum versus Arellano game, that's what they did also. Arellano claimed the lead and forced overtime where they won. I told them that if we will be complacent, then our first half efforts will go to waste. Good thing the players were composed and we still executed.)
Mapua will hunt for their fifth straight victory when they face Arellano University on Wednesday, October 18. Meanwhile, looking to break their bad run, Lyceum will play Jose Rizal University on Tuesday, October 17.
Scores:
Mapua 87 - Escamis 20, Bonifacio 20, Hernandez 15, Cuenco 13, Soriano 6, Dalisay 6, Asuncion 3, Rosillo 2, Recto 2, Fornis 0, Igliane 0.
LPU 83 - Bravo 19, Guadaña 13, Valdez 11, Barba 10, Umali 10, Peñafiel 8, Cunanan 5, Villegas 5, Montaño 2, Aviles 0, Moralejo 0, Omandac 0, Saure 0.
Quarterscores: 29-21, 54-44, 75-68, 87-83.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
