Clint Escamis registered a new career-high in scoring as Mapua University completed a comeback against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 69-66, on Saturday in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Escamis posted 21 points, along with two rebounds, two steals, and an assist, as the Cardinals improved to 9-2 and retain their hold of the top spot in the league standings.
The Cardinals trailed by as much as 11 points, 35-24, in the second quarter before the Knights ended the first half with the lead, 38-31.
Mapua then crawled its way back and reclaimed the lead, 65-64, after Escamis' jumper at the 00:56 of the fourth period. Deo Cuajao answered with a layup as Letran regained the lead, before a Jopet Soriano shot from Warren Bonifacio gave Mapua a 67-66 advantage.
Ira Bataller and Kint Ariar missed their attempts before the shot clock expired. A foul by Cuajao on Escamis put the latter to the line and free throws sealed the deal for Mapua as the former missed his final attempt.
Soriano had 14 points and six rebounds, while Warren Bonifacio had eight points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Kurt Reyson had 17 points while Cuajao had 12 points as Letran dropped to 1-10.
Mapua will face Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday, while Letran will go against Emilio Aguinaldo College on the same day.
Scores:
Mapua 69 - Escamis 21, Soriano 14, Bonifacio 8, Hernandez 5, Cuenco 5, Recto 5, Rodillo 4, Dalisay 3, Bancale 2, Fornis 2, Asuncion 0, Igliane 0.
Letran 66 - Reyson 17, Cuajao 12, Ariar 11, Jumao-as 10, Batallier 4, Bojorcelo 4, Monje 4, Santos 2, Javillonar 2, Garupil 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 15-17; 31-38; 50; 54; 69-66.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
