Mapua asserted its dominance from the get-go en route to a 20-point routing of Arellano, 67-47, in the second round of the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Just as the NCAA Management Committee slapped an indefinite suspension on John Amores of Jose Rizal University after assaulting the College of St. Benilde bench and punching two of its players, the Cardinals cruised to an easy win for their fourth straight win and a 6-9 record.
Joaqui Garcia led the Cardinals' balanced attack with 13 points while Adrian Nocum performed well on both ends of the floor with 10 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
The Cardinals already led by as many as 15 points in the first half, 36-21, before they stepped on the gas with a 16-7 spurt heading into the payoff period to pull away for good.
The Chiefs showed resistance in the final quarter behind the efforts of Shane Menina and Axel Doromal but the gap was already too much to overcome as they fell and equalized with a 6-9 slate as well.
Paolo Hernandez, who also scored eight points along with four rebounds, joined in the fray after knocking down two triples en route to a 62-38 cushion within the last five minutes.
Menina finished with 10 points and five assists while Doronal had 10 points as the Chiefs played sans the presence of big man Cade Flores.
The Cardinals, for their part, still kept their Final Four hopes alive despite their first-round slump.
The Scores:
MAPUA 67 -- Garcia 13, Nocum 10, Mercado 10, Hernandez 8, Cuenco 8, Pido 5, Agustin 5, Bonifacio 3, Soriano 2, Salenga 2, Lacap 1, Igliane 0.
ARELLANO 47 -- Menina 10, Doromal 10, Abastillas 8, Tolentino 6, Sunga 4, Mallari 3, Oftana 3, Mantua 2, Talampas 1, Oliva 0.
Quarters: 16-8, 36-21, 52-28, 67-47.