Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12:20 p.m. EAC vs San Beda
2:40 p.m. Letran vs Saint Benilde
Mapua University survived University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 62-61, for its sixth straight win in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Marc Cuenco had 13 points as the Cardinals remain on top of the standings with an 8-1 win-loss record.
Paolo Hernandez gave Mapua a 62-59 lead with three minutes and one second left in the fourth quarter after making a layup.
John Abis cut the lead to a hairline, 61-62, after sinking a jumper for the Altas with 2:39 remaining in the game and even had the chance to emerge victorious but a Jun Roque triple bounced off the ring.
“It’s a good thing our defense was still good in the last two minutes. We didn’t allow them to get too many offensive rebounds,” Alcantara said.
“That was the key since Perpetual has a lot of big players.”
The Cardinals took care of the ball after only committing nine turnovers and tallied 17 assists.
JC Recto dropped 12 points for Mapua while Clint Escamis had a double-double output of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Abis’ 15-point performance wasn’t enough as the Altas sank to a 3-6 slate at the end of the first round.
