Mapua University is heading to the Final Four armed with a lengthy winning streak, narrowly beating upset-hungry Arellano University, 75-69, in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Cardinals nearly wasted a 20-point lead, but hung tough in the endgame to push their winning streak to nine and secure the top spot with a 15-3 win-loss record.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, will close out their campaign with a decent 7-11 card.
"Salamat sa mga players na hindi nagpabaya although na nando'n na kami sa twice-to-beat advantage pero sabi nga, hindi pwede 'yung pupunta lang kami dito na ibibigay ;ang ng Arellano," Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said.
"Pinahirapan din kami ng Arellano pero maganda naman 'yun para preparation doon sa playoffs natin and paano kami magre-react sa mga gano'ng depensa na binigay sa amin. Collective effort kaya nandito kami sa top."
Mapua turned to rookie Chris Hubilla in the third period, where the Cardinals built a 53-33 cushion as they seemed to pull away for good against the Chiefs.
However, Arellano suddenly stepped on the gas pedal, closing out the period with an 11-4 run and trimming the deficit to just 13 before heading to the final canto as they looked to defeat all the Final Four teams at least once this season.
The wards of head coach Chico Manabat then made it a seven-point affair, 60-67, after T-mc Ongotan took advantage of a foul-plagued outing from the Cardinals by sinking four straight free throws.
Another pair of freebies and a jumper from Ongotan saw the Chiefs slicing the gap to a single possession, 69-72, before the two teams had an exchange of turnovers in the dying moments.
But a crucial offensive rebound from Lawrence Mangubat off his own missed triple led to a trip to the charity stripe for Clint Escamis, who would calmly knock down the game-sealing free throws en route to the victory.
Hubilla flirted with a double-double effort of 12 points and nine rebounds alongside three assists while Escamis, who was held scoreless at the half, finished with 12 markers, five boards, three dimes, and three steals.
Erjay Geronimo paced Arellano with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Ongotan tallied 13 markers, eight boards, and one assist.
Mapua, who's heading to its third Final Four appearance in the last four editions, will take on fourth-seeded Lyceum of the Philippines University on Saturday, November 23, at the same venue with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Mapua win also sent De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to the second spot as the Blazers are scheduled to take on reigning champion San Beda University also with the playoff incentive.
Scores:
Mapua 75 – Hubilla 12, Escamis 12, Cuenco 11, Recto 8, Garcia 8, Mangubat 7, Concepcion 6, Bancale 5, Igliane 3, Jabonete 3, Abdulla 0, Fermin 0.
Arellano 69 – Geronimo 15, Ongotan 13, Capulong 12, Hernal 10, Borromeo 7, Camay 3, Miller 3, Vinoya 2, Abiera 2, Rosalin 2, De Leon 0, Estacio 0, Espiritu 0, Libang 0.
Quarters: 22-10, 34-24, 57-44, 75-69.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
