Mapua recaptures solo NCAA Season 99 lead

c/o GMA and NCAA

Mapua moved into a temporary hold of the lead in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday, securing an 83-77 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Clint Escamis ensured the triumph for the Intramuros-based squad with a huge triple and a couple of free throws. The proverbial MVP candidate finished with a team-high seventeen points, while adding eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.

JC Recto also played a vital role in the win with a double-double performance of twelve points and ten rebounds, as well as a couple of blocks, stepping in when both Warren Bonifacio and Jopet Soriano suffering ankle sprains against the Generals.

EAC's defeat drags them back to .500 with a 7-7 record, falling a game behind JRU, as they try to regroup in their efforts as the postseason chase gets even tighter.

Mapua now has a half-game advantage over Lyceum and a full game and a half against the College of Saint Benilde, while also putting themselves closer to clinching a postseason spot.

The Pirates will have the chance to once again share the leadership on Friday as they face the Blazers on the first game of the scheduled doubleheader at the same venue.

Second Game

Mapua 83- Escamis 17, Bonifacio 14, Recto 12, Asuncion 9, Dalisay 8, Hernandez 6, Cuenco 5, Rosillo 5, Soriano 5, Igliane 2, Bancale 0

EAC 77- Maguliano 29, Ochavo 15, Cosejo 14, Robin 9, Gurtiza 6, Tolentino 2, Angeles 2, Quinal 0, Luciano 0, Ednilag 0, Balowa 0, Loristo 0, Unpad 0, Cosa 0, Bacud 0
Quarterscores: 27-16; 44-35; 62-49; 83-77