Article by: Maurine Claire F. Kim
Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David
Photo by: Blaise Paulhene O. Rellata
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 appearances saw a revamped Mapúa University (MU) Cardinals. Displaying tenacity at its current 4-2 standing more than halfway through Round 1, the red and gold squad's two losses were built from close scores and heated last frames. Much to the relief of the Mapúan crowd, the Cardinals chirped a different tune during their win against the San Sebastian College - Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags, dominating in all the aspects of the game today, September 27, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Cardinals gave a slight scare after botching their first possessions. Still thawing, three-point specialist Marc Cyrus Cuenco fired blanks early in the first quarter. It was only two minutes in when a successful trip to the free throw line allowed reigning MVP Clint Escamis to log MU’s first points on the board. Switching to defense, the next Mapúa baskets came from the charity stripe as the Golden Stags recorded six team fouls before the clock showed 6:00. The first quarter ended in favor of MU, 22-12.
Ending the first quarter with the advantage is almost automatic for the red and gold. Cuenco, who is still warming up, had more success in the paint and changed his play to driving to the basket for the remainder of the first half. Doing what he does best, Rookie Chris Hubilla chipped significant contributions with inside points while the rest of the team was finding their rhythm. The Cards trumped in field goals but missed on some free throws. Still, the home squad scored 10 out of 17 attempts to the Stags’ 15/16 FT points. While the team maintained the lead, 39-35, the Cards went into halftime with the Stags breathing down their necks.
The second half saw an activated Escamis-Cuenco-Hubilla barrage, opening the door for the Intramuros-based squad to balloon their lead. A menace both in defense and offense, the King Cardinal executed an and-one 3-pointer before completing a fastbreak off a steal shortly after. A well-rounded lineup allowed MU to dominate, with players Jeco Bancale and Aaron Fermin contributing points off the bench to allow for a comfortable margin.
A heightened defense from the Cardinals proved too unrelenting for the Recto-based team in the third quarter. No opponent was given an open-shot opportunity, forcing back-to-back shot clock violations from the Stags. The King Cardinal, however, went a little too far during the last minute of the quarter and an unsportsmanlike foul was called.
In a post-game interview, Coach Randy Alcantara commented that the captain needed to learn from the mishap. “Sana matuto siya dun at makita niya sa replay ‘yung kailangan niya iadjust. ‘Yung mga ganung foul, frustration play yun, kaya kailangan makapag-adjust.”
Overcoming the short setback, the Cards focused on their gameplay entering the last quarter. While a slow start allowed the Stags to momentarily gain momentum by grace of consecutive triples, Cuenco and Escamis replied with their own daggers. A morale boost came late in the last quarter when Cuenco thankfully rose unscathed from a hard bump during a block attempt by Rafael Are. Despite missing the courtesy shots from the foul, Cuenco redeemed himself with a swish from way beyond the arc. Cuenco ended the game with 26 points to set his new career-high.
“Suportahan niyo kami every game, hanggang sa finals, and sana makuha ang championship this season,” a grateful Cuenco expressed during a post-game interview.
Contributing double-digit points in the game are Escamis and Hubilla, with 25 and 12 points, respectively. Defense specialists Jabonete and Marc Igliane totaled 16 rebounds in the game. Dominating on all fields, the game against the Golden Stags also allowed MU to record their largest lead so far in the season with a 24-point cushion.
With their next two games against the last two teams in the current standings, the Cardinals can hope for an easy journey before the inevitable rematch against defending champions, the San Beda Red Lions.
Mapúa aims to sit comfortably in the win column with their game against the Jose Rizal University Bombers on September 29, 12:00 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 91 - Cuenco 26, Escamis 25, Hubilla 12, Bancale 6, Igliane 6, Jabonete 6, Concepcion 6, Mangubat 4.
SSC-R 72 - Felebrico 20, Are 17, Aguilar 9, Cruz 8, Escobido 7, L. Gabat 3, Suico 3, Velasco 2, Lintol 2, R. Gabat 1.
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