10 October 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Mapua University shuts down San Sebastian College-Recoletos with a convincing 90-73 win on Thursday, to keep their Final Four hopes alive in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to an 8-8 win-loss record that gave them and College of St. Benilde (7-9) a chance for the semifinals berth. A win by Baste could have shut down any chances for Mapua and Benilde, but now, the Stags dropped to a 9-7 slate, and are only a game ahead of the Cardinals for the fourth and final spot.
“Sabi ko nga, di na kami kailangan tumingin pa sa standings,” said Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara post-game. “Manalo-matalo, umabot o hindi sa Final 4, basta ang importante manalo kami sa San Sebastian. It’s all about pride eh.” This was after the Stags whipped Mapua in the first round with a 92-68 outing.
The Cardinals were in full control of the game from the get-go, as they kept a seven-point lead, 46-39. They would only continue to dominate the match until the payoff period as Noah Lugo’s three-pointer, followed by a layup, gave Mapua an 11-point advantage, 77-66. They never looked back from there as they cruised to victory.
Lugo finished with 22 points, while Laurenz Victoria and Cyril Gonzales combined for 33 markers in the win.
For San Sebastian, RK Ilagan led with 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Allyn Bulanadi chipped in 18 markers in the losing effort.
The Scores:
MAPUA 90 – Lugo 22, Victoria 18, Gonzales 15, Bunag 9, Gamboa 8, Garcia 6, Bonifacio 4, Salenga 2, Nieles 2, Serrano 2, Nocum 2, Aguirre 0, Dela Cruz 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 73 – Ilagan 19, Bulanadi 18, Calahat 10, Villapando 9, Calma 4, Sumoda 4, Altamirano 3, Desoyo 2, Loristo 2, Suico 2, Tero 0, Isidro 0
QUARTER SCORES: 23-15, 46-39, 68-60, 90-73
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