Article by: Alexandra Isabelle G. Delavin and Crismhil S. Anselmo
Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David
Photo by: Luis Iñigo A. Lava
Adept in the art of mastery, the Mapúa Cardinals have gained a knack for defeating the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas. After taking the maroon jerseys down twice last season, the red and gold jerseys mimicked their triumph once again this year to seal second win in the centennial season after edging out their rivals today, September 15, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The first quarter started off slow for the Cardinals, with Altas burying two straight shots on the court. Trailing behind with an eight-point disadvantage during the early game, Cardinal Jeco Bancale fired in a long-range bomb to extinguish the Altas' scoring streak, followed by Cyrus Cuenco's two consecutive three-pointers to cut the lead down to four. From then on, the yellow jerseys displayed an offensive gameplay, pushing both squads to a draw before Escamis drained a clutch three to beat the shot clock, 23-20.
In a heated hoop clash that witnessed the red and gold drive, the second quarter drove the Mapúa jerseys to change their battle plan. To end their drought, Escamis was placed in the charity line and delivered three perfect shots in the field to gain a five-point cushion. As the game intensified, the Intramuros-based squad held the Altas back from their mission to pull away before a one-point margin ended the first half against their favor, 37-38.
Starting off their third quarter, Escamis' long pass to Marc Igliane was drained in for a quick two. Rookie and Game 2 MVP Lawrence Mangubat then delivered another trey to keep the scores close before the Cards and Altas switched to the offensive stance, trading in heated exchanges before the quarter closed in with a 50-53 score.
Down to the last 10 minutes inside the perimeter, Chris Hubilla outmaneuvered the five-man Altas to run ahead and sink their first basket of the quarter, 56-60. Still marked with a four-point difference, the King Cardinal went full steam ahead to take the lead with back-to-back scoring. With a slim margin that can hinder the team from starting a hot streak, Cuenco stepped on the three-point territory to further stand in the way of the Altas' rally, becoming the second Cardinal to reach two-digit scores as they closed the gap.
As the maroon jerseys fumbled their free throws in the crucial moments, the Cardinals gained possession with a slim cushion just less than two minutes left in the game. Positioning himself from downtown, King Cardinal dropped a game-changing three-pointer to stretch the lead to 67-62.
While the Altas launched their own three-point bomb that would become their last shot, the combination of Igliane's offensive rebound and Bancale's three-pointer left the Altas gunning for a hail mary. As the clock continued to run out, the Cardinals went on a roll to own the game, 71-65.
Known for his dominant presence on the hardwood floors, Escamis continued to surpass his own records as he tallied a new career-high built on 28 points, two rebounds, and three steals. Following him were Cuenco and John Jabonete with 12 and eight points, respectively.
Rising on the rankings with a 2-1 standing, the Mapúa will seek to slash a win against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights on their next game scheduled on September 20, at 2:30 PM, at the same court. All games are aired on GTV, with live streaming on the social media pages of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH.
The Scores:
MU 71 - Escamis 28, Cuenco 12, Jabonete 8, Hubilla 7, Mangubat 6, Bancale 6, Igliane 2, Agemenyl 2, Ryan 0, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0
UPHSD 65 - Cruz 17, Pagaran 12, Abis 12, Pizarro 9, Manuel 6, Orgo 5, Gelsano 2, Nunez 1, Boral 1, Montemayor 0, Cauguiran 0
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