12 July 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Mapua Cardinals made sure their visit to Jose Rizal University’s newly refurbished gym in Mandaluyong City is a memorable one – and it surely was.
The Cardinals defeated the Heavy Bombers, 72-60, as they opened their campaign in the NCAA Season 94 senior’s basketball tournament as JRU’s home court.
Though visitors of JRU’s territory, it did not stop Mapua from winning the game with its incredible and renewed team effort.
With prized rookie Warren Bonifacio and skipper Christian Bunag to lean on to, the Cardinals led the game from the get-go and never gave the Heavy Bombers a chance to lead the match.
Big man Bonifacio scored six of his 10 points in the first period and boosted the Cardinals for an early 11-point lead in the game, 25-14.
The Heavy Bombers collected themselves in the second quarter, with Karl Bordon shooting a corner trey that gave them a slim chance to turn over the game to their advantage, 31-34.
Mapua saw what needed to be done and returning guard Noah Lugo stepped up for the team to regain an eight-point cushion, but JRU continued its run to get as close to three, 47-50, thanks to MJ Dela Virgen’s perfect shooting.
Cedric Pelayo answered back with a triple to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 12, 65-53 in the last 6:34 minutes left in the game.
But veteran and team captain Jed Mendoza led JRU with a 5-0 run, 58-63.
To no avail, JRU failed to gain any momentum in the game, leaving the Cardinals take back a 10-point comfortable cushion in the last two minutes of the game, 70-60.
Guard Laurenz Victoria finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Bonifacio impressed with almost a double-double record of 10 points and nine boards in his debut game.
Bunag also made a great debut with 12 rebounds.
On the other hand, RJ David had 12 points and three rebounds for the Heavy Bombers.
The Scores:
MAPUA (72) – Victoria 11, Bonifacio 10, Jabel 9, Biteng 8, Pelayo 8, Serrano 8, Gamboa 6, Lugo 6, Bunag 4, Aguirre 2, Garcia 0, Selanga 0.
JRU (60) – David 12, Mendoza 11, Bordon 9, Esguerra 6, Silvarez 6, Dela Virgen 5, Padua 4, Santos 4, Miranda 3, Aguilar 0, Estrella 0, Mallari 0.
Quarter scores: 25-14, 34-31, 52-47, 72-60.
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