Mapua notches first back-to-back wins

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines- Current cellar dwellers Mapua Cardinals toppled the Lyceum Pirates, 76-65, during their second-round matchup in the NCAA Seniors basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Friday  to notch their second win in a row, and only their third victory in 13 tries.

Mapua went on a blistering 23-9 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters to seal the deal.

Cardinals head coach Atoy Co was elated with the victory after he surpassed his number of wins from the previous season.

“It’s a very good win, the effort was on everybody,” a smiling Co said. ” We played very good defense, played exceptionally well on the third and maintained that in the fourth.”

“Now I can say that we have improved, in the standings at least.”

Starting the 23-9 run, was an 8-0 dash from the Cardinals with Exeqiel Biteng knocking down a three-pointer from the left wing to give Mapua the lead, 48-46, and the Cardinals never looked back.

Leo Gabo then paced the Cardinals midway through the fourth getting a hand on every possession during a 7-0 run.

He hit back-to-back jumpers from the left wing and dished out to Jeson Cantos in transition to put the Cardinals up 10, 65-55 with more than five minutes remaining.

Co added that teams would now think twice before playing a relaxed game against them.

“Teams now wouldn’t take us for granted,” Co said.

Carlos Isit and Gabo had 17 points apiece for the Cardinals with the former also grabbing 11 boards.

Joseph Eriobu had a double-double of his own with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Biteng added 11 points, going three of four from deep, of his own.

Guy Mbida and Rhodel Maconocido had 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Pirates who dropped to a 5-8 record.
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