By MARK REY MONTEJO
Mapua rolled to its fifth straight with a 79-65 demolition of Arellano University in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Warren Bonifacio scattered 14 points, including a basket that sparked a vicious 18-8 run and put the Cardinals beyond the Chiefs’ reach, 63-38, going into the payoff period.
The hard-working Bonifacio completed a double-double performance by grabbing 10 boards to help the Intramuros-based squad notch their 7th victory in 8 games, enough to cement their hold of solo lead.
Clint Escamis, as usual, orchestrated the offense of Mapua with almost surgical precision – another reason why the Cardinals got the needed separation in the second quarter after battling tooth and nail in the first 10 minutes of action.
He finished with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in performance that drew raves from the coaching staff.
JC Recto and Kobe Dalisay typified Mapua’s well-balanced attack by canning 12 points each.
The Chiefs tried to wage a comeback but timely baskets from Jade Talampas and Lars Sunga ended the uprising.
Sunga led all scorers with 16 points but those were not enough as the Chiefs fell to 1-7.
Mapua coach Randy Alcantara paid tribute to the team’s big fighting heart for the win – the same character the Mapua side displayed in winning the title 32 years ago.
“Malaking puso din nakikita natin sa team na ito,” said Alcantara, who was also a member of that victorious squad.
The scores:
MAPUA 79 – Bonifacio 14, Recto 12, Dalisay 12, Escamis 9, Cuenco 8, Hernandez 6, Igliane 5, Rosillo 4, Bancale 3, Asuncion 3, Sabsalon 3, Fornis 0.
ARELLANO 65- Sunga 16, Mallari 10, Talampas 8, Geronimo 7, Capulong 6, Valencia 5, Abastillas 5, Ongotan 2, Rosalin 2, Yanes 2, Tan 2, Dayrit 0, Villarente 0, dela Cruz 0, Lustina 0.
Quarters: 16-15; 43-30; 65-45; 79-65.
