Mapua University left no room for complacency, crushing also-ran San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 95-79, to move a win away from a second round sweep on Wednesday in the NCAA Season 100.
The Cardinals, who are already guaranteed of a Final Four spot and the twice-to-beat bonus, were dominant right from the get-go but pulled away for good in the third period as they improved to 14-3 behind an impressive eight-game winning streak.
The Stags, meanwhile, dropped to 5-12 with only one game left in their schedule.
The rookie tandem of Yam Concepcion and Chris Hubilla showed the way in the lopsided victory to step up with usual suspects Clint Escamis and Lawrence Mangubat being limited in the game.
Concepcion tallied 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals while Hubilla churned out 17 markers, six boards, four dimes, one steal, and one block as two others finished in double digits.
JC Recto posted 17 points while Joaqui Garcia chipped in 12 markers to give Mapua the win despite the absence of head coach Randy Alcantara, who served a one-game suspension due to an unsportsmanlike foul from last game.
"Kasali pa naman sila sa season na 'to so lahat talaga pinaghahandaan namin, especially na lahat naman ng team gusto talaga namin makalaban," Hubilla said.
"Dito kami huhugot ng lakas papuntang semifinals tsaka sa mga natitirang games. Sabi ng coaches na 'wag lang kaming maging kampante na secured na 'yung spot namin. Lahat ng makakalaban namin, seryoso talaga kami."
The Cardinals broke away from a 45-33 halftime lead after Recto unleashed 13 of his overall points in the third period as they outscored the Stags, 36-16, to end the period with an 81-49 cushion.
Mapua never looked back since then despite a last-gasp comeback attempt behind the veteran troika of Paeng Are, Raymart Escobido, and Reggz Gabat.
Are paced San Sebastian with 22 points while Escobido and Gabat chipped in 16 and 14 markers apiece in the losing effort.
Scores:
Mapua 95 - Concepcion 18, Hubilla 17, Recto 17, Garcia 12, Mangubat 8, Escamis 6, Abdulla 6, Bancale 4, Cuenco 3, Jabonete 2, Ryan 2, Igliane 0, Agemenyi 0, Reyno 0.
San Sebastian - Are 22, Escobido 16, R. Gabat 14, Felebrico 13, Aguilar 5, Velasco 3, Cruz 3, P. Gabat 2, Ricio 1, Maliwat 0, Pascual 0, Lintol 0, Suico 0.
Quarers: 24-17; 45-33; 81-49; 95-79
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
