Mapua University scored the biggest upset so far in the NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament, clobbering the erstwhile undefeated San Beda University, 68-54, to boost its Final Four hopes.
The victory improved Mapua's slate to 6-2 behind a three-game winning streak while San Beda absorbed its first loss for a 6-1 card.
Toby Agustin scored a game-high 15 points for while Paolo Hernandez logged 14 points, 13 big rebounds, two assists, and two steals for the Cardinals.
Mapua controlled the tempo early, establishing a lead as big as nine, 28-19, after Hernandez completed a four-point play opportunity late in the second quarter.
San Beda, though, answered with an 8-4 run led by Ralph Penuela to trail by just four at the break, 27-31. Hernandez has already chipped in 10 points in the first two quarters to lead the Cardinals while Penuela had 13.
After ending the third behind by 10, the Red Lions were able to trim their deficit to single digit courtesy of back-to-back baskets by JV Gallego early in the fourth.
Mapua, though, was quick to counter with a 12-4 barrage highlighted by two consecutive buckets from deep by Rence Nocum as their lead ballooned to 64-48.
Hernandez sealed it with a counter-steal off the Red Lions' break capped by a behind-the-back pass for an easy bucket for Agustin, 66-54, with 1:10 remaining.
Mapua never looked back since then, handing San Beda its first defeat in the eliminations round since Season 95.
Warren Bonifacio added 13 markers for the Cardinals while Nocum finished with eight, including his two big triples in the fourth.
James Kwekuteye scored 14 and Penuela had 13 to pace San Beda but no other Red Lion scored more than six points.
Mapua still has a shot at the #2 spot with San Beda facing a tough closing schedule with games against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran remaining.
Mapua wraps up its elimination round campaign on Wednesday against Lyceum of the Philippines University.
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.
—JMB, GMA News
