Yam Concepcion delivered when it mattered most, knocking down his first and lone triple of the game to help Mapua University escape San Sebastian in overtime, 77-72, in the NCAA Season 101 on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The 6-foot-3 big man, mostly known for his defense, displayed his offense in the clutch, sinking a huge three-pointer that gave the Cardinals a 75-72 lead with 24 seconds left in the extra period.
Cyrus Cuenco iced the game with a pair of free throws, helping the defending champions shake off their squandering of a 19-point cushion and move up to 7-5 in Group A while the Golden Stags fell to 3-10.
Concepcion nearly tallied eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and one assist while Cuenco top-scored with 15 markers, five boards, and three steals as the quarterfinals-bound Cardinals moved closer to a twice-to-beat advantage.
"Sa amin naman, nag-usap-usap kami na wala na e, nangyari na. Tsaka sanay naman tayo dito, laruin na lang natin. Ito naman talaga 'yung pinapa-ready sa atin ng mga coaches," Concepcion said.
"Ready kami sa overtime. Sobrang nakatulong sa amin 'yun ['yung mga past overtime experiences]."
(For us, we all talked to each other and said, we can't do anything about it, it already happened. But we're used to this, let's just play it out. This is what our coaches get us ready for... We're ready for overtime. Our past overtime experiences prepared us for this a lot.)
The Golden Stags made life difficult for the Cardinals despite Mapua building a 49-30 lead early in the third thanks to a three-point play from team captain Clint Escamis.
Rookie star Jhuniel Dela Rama sparked San Sebastian's rally, scoring his first field goal of the game to start a 17-3 run that allowed the embattled Stags to cut the gap to five before the fourth, 47-52.
Escamis then kicked off the payoff period in the way he does best, scoring six straight points before his backcourt partner Cuenco sank a massive triple that brought Mapua to a 65-58 advantage.
Dela Rama drilled a long corner three, prompting a lengthy review to determine if it counted as a three or a long two. The officials eventually ruled it a three-pointer, tying the game at 65 and sending it into overtime.
Earl Sapasap came alive in overtime, sinking two free throws off a costly unsportsmanlike foul by Christian Ricio before his ankle-breaking layup over Gabat gave Mapua a 72-69 lead.
Lumanag rallied San Sebastian anew on a crucial three-point play, but Concepcion buried the dagger triple off a Sapasap dish as Mapua emerged victorious despite wasting a double-digit lead.
Lumanag had a 16-point outing in the loss while Dela Rama, who was held 0-of-7 in the first half, posted 14 markers, seven rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
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The scores:
Mapua 77 - Cuenco 15, Escamis 14, Sapasap 11, Concepcion 8, Lazarte 7, Igliane 6, Recto 5, Delos Reyes 5, Nitura 3, Gonzales 3, Callangan 0, Reyes 0.
San Sebastian 72 - Lumanag 16, Dela Rama 14, Gabat 11, Castor 9, Ricio 5, Nepacena 6, Segovia 3, Dimaunahan 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 44-28, 52-47, 65-65, 77-72 (OT).
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
