#NCAA100’s endmost week of eliminations bore witness to tough victories, rousing comebacks, and heartbreaking losses.
Week 8 of the Grand Old League’s centennial season was simply not for the faint of heart. Check out the best moments of the elimination round’s last salvo in this edition of the NCAA Siglo Uno: Week in Review!
(G82) LPU vs EAC
LPU won, 74-65. All systems clicked for Coach Gilbert Malabanan’s ships when they took on the Final Four-hungry EAC Generals, sailing to a critical win that effectively broke their deadlock and placed the Pirates in the Final Four picture.
Jonathan Daileg’s 11 points, three rebounds and two assists don’t do justice to his shooting heroics late in the fourth, draining two clutch treys that completely stunned the Generals.
(G83) JRU vs Perpetual
Perpetual won, 86-82. The Altas ended their #NCAA100 campaign on a high note using a resurgent fourth quarter-crusher to put away the JRU Heavy Bombers.
JP Boral, adjudged the best player of the game with 22 points, five boards, and two steals, powered Perpetual’s rally after being down by as big as 21.
(G84) Arellano vs Letran
Arellano won, 67-65. Defensive stalwarts often impact the game in many ways beyond what is on the stat sheet, but the efforts of Anthony Borromeo did not go unnoticed during their close win against Letran.
Despite only collecting four points and five rebounds, Borromeo’s unforgiving defense and on-ball tenacity limited Letran star Jimboy Estrada to only 5/15 shooting, formally closing the Final Four doors on the Knights.
(G85) San Beda vs DLS-CSB
DLS-CSB won, 70-62. Small but terrible was Jhomel Ancheta who proved too much for San Beda to handle. He dropped an efficient 18 points and grabbed eight boards to propel the Blazers over the defending champions.
The statement win over the reigning kings of the NCAA was Benilde’s 14th of the season against only three defeats, momentarily protecting its hold of the top spot in #NCAA100.
(G86) San Sebastian vs Mapúa
Mapúa won, 95-79. Rookie sensation Yam Concepcion was all over the floor in this resounding victory over the San Sebastian Stags. He collected 18 points, five rebounds, and five dimes to steer the Cardinals past a struggling San Sebastian team.
Concepcion also received valuable production from fellow rookie Chris Hubilla (17-6-4). and seasoned veterans JC Recto (17-5-1) and Joaquin Garcia (12 points, 3 assists) in their demolition job of the Stags.
(G87) LPU vs DLS-CSB
LPU won, 82-81. Silent scoring assassin John Barba knew exactly when to bring out all the big guns. A perfect game from start to finish, Ato sizzled for 27 points on a seamless 9/9 shooting from the field, to go along with a rebound and three steals.
Though the Blazers had one last opportunity to deliver a game-winner, the Pirates did enough to protect their precarious one-point advantage as they officially booked the last #NCAA100 Final Four ticket.
(G88) EAC vs JRU
EAC won, 73-66. EAC would write the last sentence of their #NCAA100 campaign with tearful smiles and their chins held high following a morale-boosting win over the Heavy Bombers.
They were led by ‘King General’ King Gurtiza, who dominated on both ends of the floor with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. Fellow graduating senior Harvey Pagsanjan and transferee Jude Bagay also chipped in 17 and 11, respectively, for the Jerson Cabiltes-coached squad.
(G89) Arellano vs Mapúa
Mapúa won, 75-69. Determined as ever, the top seed-seeking Mapúa Cardinals capped their #NCAA100 elimination round with a win against the Chiefs– their ninth straight and the last of the nine infinity stones en route to a perfect second round.
It was an all-around effort for the Cardinals, getting important minutes from sensational newcomer Chris Hubilla, reigning MVP Clint Escamis, and designated marksman Cyrus Cuenco who won the BPG honors with 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists.
(G90) San Sebastian vs San Beda
San Sebastian won, 79-70. Outgoing senior Raymart Escobido (19 points, two assists, three steals) stepped up big time for the Stags to secure a season-concluding win against no less than the defending champs San Beda.
League-leading scorer Paeng Are, graduating veteran Reggz Gabat, and rebounding big man TJ Felebrico all registered double-digit markers, dropping 13, 12, and 11, respectively.
TEAM STANDINGS
- 15-3 Mapúa Cardinals**
- 14-4 Benilde Blazers**
- 10-8 San Beda Red Lions
- 10-8 LPU Pirates
———————-
- 9-9 EAC Generals
- 8-10 Letran Knights
- 7-11 Arellano Chiefs
- 7-11 Perpetual Altas
- 6-12 San Sebastian Stags
- 4-14 JRU Heavy Bombers
**Twice to beat advantage in Final Four
