Mapua University brushed off the twice-to-beat disadvantage with a 73-58 victory against College of Saint Benilde in their NCAA Season 101 quarterfinal game on Wednesday, at the FilOil Centre.
Cyril Gonzales led all scorers with 17 points and three steals in the dominant win that saw the Cardinals force the Blazers to a win-or-go-home clash on Friday.
Mapua stretched its playoffs dominance over Benilde into a four-game winning streak, and also exacted revenge after being dealt a 75-65 defeat in their first encounter in the elimination round.
JC Recto provided 11 markers highlighted by three three-pointers on top of nine rebounds, while Cyrus Cuenco had 10 points and six boards.
Clint Escamis, for his part, was blanked from the field (0-for-10 on field goals) as he struggled all game long with just two points off the line.
Mapua nearly squandered a 15-point lead, 37-22, early in the third quarter as Benilde went on a 16-5 run capped by Tony Ynot’s triple to make it a two-possession game, 42-38.
Gonzales, who came off the bench, then poured 11 of his 17 points all in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals ultimately held the Blazers to a 27-field goal percentage to seize full control of the match.
“Naging consistent naman yung reminder ni coach Randy Alcantara sa team. Nagkaroon siya ng activity for the team para iisa yung mentality namin for this game Non-negotiable kasi. We really needed to win this game kasi nga may twice-to-beat advantage,” said Mapua coaching staff Marlon Martin.
Ian Torres and Shawn Umali paced the Blazers with 10 points each, while Ynot finished with eight in a losing effort.
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The scores:
Mapua 73 - Gonzales 17, Recto 11, Cuenco 10, Delos Reyes 9, Lazarte 8, Nitura 5, Sapasap 4, Concepcion 4, Igliane 3, Escamis 2, Reyes 0.
Benilde 58 - Torres 10, Umali 10, Sanchez 8, Ynot 8, Liwag 7, Gaspay 5, Ancheta 4, Cometa 3, Oli 3, Morales 0, Moore 0, Celis 0, Eusebio 0, Cajucom 0.
Quarters: 24-13, 39-27, 56-47, 73-58.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
