MANILA — Mapua University Cardinals ended their over three decades of thirst for an NCAA crown. They prevailed over College of St. Benilde Blazers, 94-82, in Game 2 of the Season 100 men’s basketball tournament Finals on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marc Cuenco spearheaded the offense with 19 points, including three three-point conversions, to go with four assists and two rebounds as the Cardinals finished off the best-of-three title series at 2-0.
Clint Escamis added 18 markers, four assists, and three steals, while Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla had 17 and 15, respectively, for Mapua, which capture their first NCAA crown in 33 years.
The Blazers surged to an early 15-9 start in the opening period but the Cardinals clawed their way back to take a 24-23 lead before widening it to 45-37 at the half.
The Cardinals continued their run in the third quarter to make it a double-digit edge at 66-56 before stretching it further to its largest at 16 points in the fourth quarter.
āTalagang hindi na namin pinakawalan pa ito,ā said Cardinals head coach Randy Alcantara, who was a member of the last Mapua team to win an NCAA title in 1991.
“Inisip namin going into this game na parang do-or-die na ito para sa amin, alam namin hindi ito ibibigay ng CSB ng basta-basta kaya talagang trinabaho namin,” he added.
Justine Sanchez top-scored for the Blazers with 24 points, Winston Ynot added 17 markers, while Season MVP Allen Liwag ended with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds./PN
BOX SCORE:
MAPUA 94 — Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0.
CSB 82 — Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Oli 7, Sangco 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cajucom 0, Cometa 0.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 45-37, 66-56, 94-82.
