Escamis, Cuenco shine as Mapua squeak past Arellano

c/o NCAA

Make it back-to-back victories for Mapua in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament, as they escaped 90-87 winners against Arellano on Saturday afternoon in San Juan.

Clint Escamis scored a game-high 29 points for the Cardinals, bouncing back from being limited to just eight during the opener. Last season's Finals MVP also added three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

He shared to the media afterwards, "“Gusto ko lang talaga makabawi from that game na ‘yon." The Collegiate Press Corps' reigning Player of the Year adds, "I know my teammates got my back but I know I still needed to perform today, lead and facilitate for the team to serve as a good example."

Arellano managed to remain within striking distance of the champions, but Cy Cuenco stepped up once again in the clutch, converting a triple with 67 seconds left to restore a two-possession lead. Although the Chiefs answered with a Yuan Camay and-1 on the next possession, he then dished an assist to Yam Concepcion for a bucket to make it 89-85 with 38 seconds to go.

Joseph Hernal reduced it once again to a one-possession game with 27 seconds left, but Cuenco split his charities after Arellano was forced to foul to stop the clock.

Camay had a chance to force an extension, but Marcus Nitura blocked the shot with six seconds left to ensure the win.

Cuenco finished with fourteen points, with Cyril Gonzales added twelve markers. Nitura stuffed the stat sheet with ten points, ten rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a couple of blocks.

Basty Valencia led Arellano with thirteen points, while Renzo Abiera tacked twelve markers.

Mapua seeks to extend their winning streak to three against Perpetual on Wednesday, whilst the Chiefs will look to bounce back against San Sebastian a day earlier.

Opening things earlier today is the Red Robins' 83-80 win over the Braves.

Kean Dungca finished with 21 points, while Chris Parame added a double-double with ten points and fourteen rebounds.

The scores: 

MAPÚA 83 – Dungca 21, Reyes 13, Mercado 12, Parame 10, Palis 10, Castro 6, Bernabe 6, Bagro 3, Victolero 2, Villavicencio 0, Gemao 0

ARELLANO 80 – Franco 19, Ladica 13, Dy 12, Mendoza 9, Manansala 9, Tagorda 5, Vergara 5, Pangilinan 4, Pillas 2, Sapo 2, Pascual 0, Aurita 0, Guance 0, Guiral 0, Asay 0

Quarter scores: 17-23, 40-48, 67-65, 83-80

MAPÚA 90 – Escamis 29, Cuenco 14, Gonzales 12, Nitura 10, Sapasap 9, Reyes 5, Concepcion 5, Lazarte 4, Recto 2, Gulapa 0, Igliane 0, Delos Reyes 0, Ryan 0

ARELLANO 87 – Valencia 13, Abiera 12, Hernal 11, Ongotan 10, Libang 10, Camay 8, Cabotaje 6, Borromeo 5, Vinoya 4, Geronimo 4, Demetria 4, Acop 0, Buenaventura 0, Miller 0