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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Cardinals tame Red Lions, stay in hunt for outright semis

Cardinals tame Red Lions, stay in hunt for outright semis

Published Apr 23, 2022 03:10 pm

Mapua stunned San Beda after pulling off an emphatic 68-54 victory to stay in the hunt for an outright Final Four berth in the NCAA Season 97 on Saturday, April 23 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.

Paolo Hernandez unloaded a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds as Mapua stunned San Beda, 68-54 (File Photo NCAA/GMA)

The Cardinals showed better resolve all game long as Toby Agustin, Warren Bonifacio and Paolo Hernandez played vital roles in taming the Red Lions to improve to a 6-2 record and give themselves a shot at claiming one of the top 2 seeds in the standings.

Agustin led the attack for Mapua with 15 points while Hernandez put up a double-double showing of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Bonifacio added 13 markers and three blocks.

Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara was glad to see his players deliver on both ends of the floor especially against a potent offensive team like San Beda for their third-straight win after recovering from a two-game slump early in the season.

“Kino-congrats ko yung mga players ko na talagang ginawa nila yung mga assignments nila, yung mga trabaho nila,” said Alcantara. “Of course, San Beda yon eh. Pinaalala ko lang ‘yung mga sinabi nila dati na magta-trabaho sila, magpapakita sila sa offense and defense. Sinabi ko na makipag-compete lang sila nang makipag-compete every possession."

The Cardinals utilized a huge third quarter assault that saw them pull away from a 54-all deadlock and building a 10-point advantage, 60-50, heading to the final frame.

Free throws from Jeric Pido and Brian Lacap triggered the run before Bonifacio scored on back-to-back baskets. Rhayyan Amsali and James Kwekuteye then traded buckets with Bonifacio in the ensuing plays before Pido and Agustin capped that 16-6 outburst to close out the third canto.

The Red Lions tried to mount a comeback at the start of the final frame behind consecutive hits from JV Gallego but was quickly doused by the back-to-back triples from Adrian Nocum to build the biggest lead of the match at 16, 58-44, with 6:33 left in the final frame.

James Kwekuteye paced the Red Lions with 14 points although he struggled against the Mapua defense by shooting just 6-of-21 from the field while Ralph Penuela added 13 markers.

The victory has given Mapua a chance to steal the second seed from San Beda but it has to win against Lyceum in its final assignment in the eliminations and hope that the latter also drop one of its final two games against College of St. Benilde and Letran.

The Scores:

MAPUA 68 -- Agustin 15, Hernandez 14, Bonifacio 13, Pido 8, Nocum 8, Lacap 5, Gamboa 5, Salenga 0, Mercado 0.

SAN BEDA 54 -- Kwekuteye 14, Penuela 13, Amsali 6, Andrada 5, Gallego 4, Bahio 3, Sanchez 3, Alfaro 2, Ynot 2, Cuntapay 2, Abuda 0, Villejo 0.

Quarters: 17-14, 31-27, 50-40, 68-54.

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