By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Mapua put to waste Lyceum’s big third quarter performance with an avalanche of baskets in the fourth and pounded an 89-79 victory on Saturday, Nov. 23, to book a return trip to the finals in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Clint Escamis showed why he’s the reining MVP form as he exploded with a career-high 33 points while hauling four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block to steer the Cardinals to their third finals appearance in four seasons.
The win extended Mapua’s winning streak to 10 games dating back to the start of the second round.
Mapua, who enjoyed a twice-to-beat semifinal bonus after finishing the eliminations as the top seed, squandered a 45-30 lead midway the second quarter after being held to only eight points in the third that enabled their Intramuros neighbor a 65-63 upperhand.
But Escamis joined forces with Chris Hubilla and Yam Concepcion for a 13-4 spurt at the start of the payoff period to grab a 76-67 advantage that all but completely changed the complexion of the game.
Lyceum attempted to salvage the game in the dying minute, including a booming triple from McLaude Gaudana to trim the deficit, 83-79, but the Pirates ran out of gas.
Hubilla finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while John Recto chipped in 10 points and five boards.
JM Bravo paced Lyceum with 20 points and 10 rebounds, John Barba pumped in 14 points, and Renz Villegas and Gaudana had 12 points apiece, but their efforts went to naught.
The Cardinals will face the winner between second seed College of St. Benilde Blazers and the defending champion San Beda Red Lions in the finals, a best-of-three affair.
The Blazers and the Red Lions were playing at presstime. ,
The scores:
MAPÚA 89 – Escamis 33, Hubilla 17, Recto 10, Mangubat 7, Concepcion 7, Cuenco 6, Igliane 4, Bancale 4, Jabonete 1, Ryan 0, Garcia 0.
LYCEUM 79 – Bravo 20, Barba 14, Villegas 12, Guadaña 12, Daileg 6, Versoza 6, Moralejo 3, Cunanan 2, Montaño 2, Peñafiel 2, Aviles 0.
Quarters: 29-21; 55-46; 63-65; 89-79.
