By MARK REY MONTEJO
JC Recto and Paolo Hernandez struck hardest in the final frame as Mapua escaped Perpetual, 62-61, to end the first round of the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on a six-game win streak at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Saturday, Oct. 21.
The two conspired on a 10-0 spurt in the payoff period before the Cardinals banked on their rock-solid defense in the waning minutes to hold off a late fightback from the Altas.
Mapua finished the round with an 8-1 record, bolstering their bid of winning their first title since their back-to-back triumphs during the 1991 and 1992 editions.
Marc Cuenco topscored for the Intramuros-based squad with 13 points while Clint Escamis added a double-double effort of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The duo of Recto and Hernandez had 12 points, six rebounds and five steals and eight points, 11 boards and four assists respectively.
Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said that it was their defense that keyed the win especially after both squads went scoreless in the last two minutes with the Cardinals holding on to a precarious one-point lead, 62-61.
“Syempre yung depensa parin namin, yung depensa natin wag nating tanggalin satin. [Hanggang] dulo parin kailangan mong sandalan yung depensa,” said Alcantara.
The two actually took turns in the pivotal fourth quarter run as Mapua took the driver seat, 59-53 although Perpetual stayed within striking distance cutting the deficit down to just one, 60-59 with 3:30 left.
Hernandez, however, came to the Cardinal’s rescue anew scoring on a layup but John Abis kept it close, 62-61, heading into the last two minutes.
Abis shared the scoring honors with Christian Pagaran, who exited the game ealy in the fourth, with 15 apiece.
The scores:
First Game
Mapua 62- Cuenco 13, Recto 12, Escamis 10, Hernandez 8, Bonifacio 8, Dalisay 5, Soriano 4, Asuncion 2, Rosillo 0, Igliane 0, Fornis 0
UPHSD 61- Abis 15, Pagaran 15, Omega 8, Nitura 6, Roque 5, Nunez 5, Razon 4, Ferreras 3, Orgo 0, Barcuma 0, Gelsano 0
Quarters: 17-16; 33-35; 49-49; 62-61
