Mapua University clipped San Beda University, 71-69, yesterday to take the solo lead in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Down by one, 68-69, Paolo Hernandez scored the biggest shot of the game, sinking a triple with 14.2 seconds remaining.
Yukien Andrada missed what should have been game-winning triple with three seconds left in the game for San Beda, giving the win to the Cardinals.
Hernandez, who only scored four points in the match under a 1-of-5 against the Red Lions, just wanted to give back the trust the coaching staff gave him.
“I’m just repaying the coaches’ trust in me. I never knew it would go in son I just trusted in that shot,” Hernandez said.
“I’m grateful for that the shot went in.”
Clint Escamis led Mapua with 21 points as the Cardinals took the summit with a 12-3 win-loss record.
Jacob Cortez tied his career-high output of 24 points but it was not enough as San Beda slid to fifth place with an 8-6 record.
Earlier, Mark Omega drained a clutch triple as University of Perpetual Help System Dalta delivered a heart-stopping 81-80 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University in the second game of the day.
Omega, who had a double-double game of 10 points and 12 rebounds, banked his shot with 2.4 seconds left.
Perpetual then made a crucial stop in the final seconds of the match for the victory.
