Mapua University did its homework during a one-week break, gutting out a victory against streaking San Beda University, 68-63, to move a win away from ruling the NCAA Season 99 on Wednesday.
With the victory, the Cardinals are also on the cusp of ending a 32-year title drought and deliver the school’s first championship since 1991.
After closing out the first half with a 15-2 run, the Cardinals uncorked the third with a 23-12 rampage that sent them to a 59-43 lead before Jacob Cortez, who was scoreless in the first two quarters, unleashed a near half-court triple to pull them to within 11 ahead of the fourth, 59-48.
The Red Lions then went on a 6-0 barrage in the payoff period before MVP frontrunner Clint Escamis stopped the bleeding with his own triple, 64-55.
Ryle Rosillo, who starred witth nine points in the first half, came up with a huge basket to send Mapua back up by eight at 66-58 but Emman Tagle answered with a corner triple to slice the gap for San Beda, 66-61, with 2:11 left.
A pair of free throws from Tagle made it a one-possession affair, 66-63, but Cortez missed out on a potential game-tying triple.
Escamis was steady on the charity stripe to seal the win for the Cardinals.
Veteran guard Paolo Hernandez starred with a double-double effort of 16 points and 12 rebounds while Escamis came upnwith 19 markers, six boards, two assists, and three steals.
Rosillo finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Mapua will look to close out the series on Sunday at the same venue.
Scores:
Mapua 68- Escamis 18, Hernandez 16, Rosillo 15, Bonifacio 15, Bonifacio 6, Recto 5, Cuenco 4, Soriano 4, Fornis 0, Dalisay 0.
San Beda 63- Payosing 14, Puno 12, Cortez 12, Andrada 8, Jopia 8, Tagle 5, Cuntapay 2, Visser 2, Alfaro 0, Gonzales 0, Royo 0, Gallego 0.
Quarterscores: 17-17; 36-31; 59-48; 68-63.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
