Paolo Hernandez nailed a clutch triple with 40 seconds left to help Mapua squeak past Jose Rizal University, 59-56, in the NCAA Season 97 senior men’s basketball tournament on Friday, April 1 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.

Hernandez finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while Warren Bonifacio also came up big with a double-double display of 12 markers and 11 boards.

Hernandez, who shot a measly 2-of-14 clip in Mapua’s come-from-behind 73-67 win against Emilio Aguinaldo University last Sunday, was glad to finally break out of the slump and even nail the crucial triple that allowed the Cardinals to join early leaders Letran and San Beda atop the standings with identical 2-0 records.

“First game medyo maalat yung shooting ko pero inencourage ako ng team ko lalo na si Coach Randy na itira ko lang daw papasok din yan and yung teammates ko sobra yung suporta sa akin so bakit pa ako di makukumpiyansa,” said Hernandez after the game.

Mapua used a 12-4 finishing kick after JRU managed to recover from 14 points down and seize control with a six-point lead 49-43 midway through the final frame.

The Heavy Bombers refused to go down without a fight with Marwin Dionisio drilling a trey to cut the lead down to one, 56-57, but Bonifacio calmly sank two free throws with eight seconds left to ice the game.

JL Delos Santos paced the Heavy Bombers with 11 points as he spearheaded the huge 18-4 attack in the second half which allowed them to get their first taste of the lead after falling behind early 18-4.

The Scores:

MAPUA 59 -- Hernandez 13, Bonifacio 12, Agustin 9, Nocum 8, Lacap 8, Gamboa 4, Sual 3, Pido 2, Mercado 0, Garcia 0, Soriano 0, Asuncion 0.

JRU 56 -- Delos Santos 11, Agbong 10, Celis 8, Arenal 8, Dionisio 5, Jungco 4, Bongay 2, Aguilar 2, G. Gonzales 2, Macatangay 0, Guiab 2, C. Gonzales 0. Quarters: 18-11 29-21, 41-38, 59-56.