MANILA – Mapua University Cardinals ousted Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers from NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Final Four contention with a 77-74 beating on Wednesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Clint Escamis spearheaded the offense with 25 points to go with four rebounds, four assists, and five steals while Warren Bonifacio chipped in 17 markers and five boards for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals started their fight back in the third quarter with Escamis unloading back-to-back triples followed by an outside shot from rookie JC Recto as they build a 69-59 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Heavy Bombers answered back with their own 10-3 run courtesy of Agem Miranda to cut the deficit to 69-72 before tying the score with a three-pointer from Ry dela Rosa with over two minutes left.
Escamis surged the Cardinals ahead at 75-72 with his outside shot but the Heavy Bombers cut the deficit to 75-74 before Escamis secured the victory with his free throw connection.
According to Cardinals head coach Randy Alcantara, close matches like that was a good learning experience for his boys as the school will aim for its first NCAA crown since 1992.
“Alam namin na pasok na kami sa Final Four as the top seed but hindi namin inisip na mag-relax (against the Heavy Bombers) kasi gusto namin na mataas ang morale ng team heading into the playoffs,” Alcantara said.
“’Yung mga close games tulad nitong against JRU ‘yun talaga ang kailangan ng team na experience heading into the Final Four. Gusto namin maranasan how to close out close games,” he added.
The Cardinals ended the double-round eliminations as the No. 1 seed with 15-3 win-loss slate, while the Heavy Bombers bowed out of semifinals contention with their 10-8 record.
With Mapua’s win, the Final Four cast has now been completed with second seed Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, San Beda University Red Lions, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers./PN
