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MANILA, Philippines-It was sweeter the second time around.
Soaring above the ash that covered their airspace, the Mapua Cardinals upended the San Sebastian Golden Stags, 75-73, to notch just their second win of the NCAA season 90 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Arena in San Juan Friday evening.
With their wings clipped in the first half, the Cardinals mustered the spirit to get over a 16-point deficit, 54-38, the largest lead of the Stags, in the start of the third and start a monumental rally of their own.
Mapua staged a 25-4 aerial assault that spanned two quarters and go up 63-58 at the 6:10 mark of the fourth with forward Jeson Cantos capping off the rally with a mid-range jump shot.
Cardinals head coach Atoy Co was almost at a loss for words with the victory but said that he was proud of his team for never giving up.
“I’m happy, the players never gave up, and I have high praises for that spirit of theirs,” Co said who won his first victory of the season against the Stags. “I just told them that we have every good chance to recover.”
In the middle of the Cardinals’ 25-4 run was also the stifling defense of Mapua that held the Stags scoreless for more than two minutes.
Cardinals swingman Leo Gabo started the rally for Mapua with back-to-back baskets and scoring 10 points during the 25-4 run.
Jon Ortuoste would give the Stags a glimmer of hope with 42.5 seconds tying the game at 73-all after scoring on a layup in transition and getting fouled in the process.
He, however did not convert on the bonus free-throw.
Andrew Estrella, who fouled Ortuoste, avenged his would-be blunder scoring on a driving layup with 23.4 seconds to put the Cardinals up 75-73.
Gabo and Estrella had 14-apiece to lead the Cardinals to a 2-10 record with Carlos Isit and Joseph Eriobu combining for 24 points and 16 rebounds.
Perez, who fouled out of the game in the late stages of the fourth, paced the Stags with 26 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Jovit Dela Cruz pitched in 16 points and eight boards for San Sebastian which fell to a 3-9 slate, and a ninth seed in the tournament.