Despite a shaky start, Mapúa put up a gritty fight capped off with clutch stops in the endgame to survive LPU, 78-73, and remain solid as Group B’s second seed with a 5-5 record.

JC Recto hauled in a monster double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds with 3 assists and 4 steals to claim the best player of the game nod.

Recto anchored Mapúa’s offense in the clutch with 5 points and 4 boards in the fourth, scoring crucial buckets amid a frenzied exchange with the Pirates. 

Yam Concepcion top-scored for the defending champions, collecting 15 points on 75% field goal shooting with a perfect 3/3 clip from the free throw.

Designated shooter Cyrus Cuenco also showed up for Coach Randy Alcantara, scoring all of his 12 points from beyond the arc.

LPU was led by versatile forward Jonathan Daileg who had himself a good offensive game, putting up a game-high 18 points (7 in the last quarter) laced with an and-one tomahawk dunk on a fourth quarter fast break. 

Renz Villegas also chipped in big time with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the losing effort. 

With the win, Mapúa  remains solid as Group B’s second seed team with a 5-5 record, while last-placer LPU falls to 2-8.