Mapua Cardinals foil Tey Teodoro’s heroics. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Mark Braña played hero and Mapua avenged a heartbreaking loss last month with a 68-67 squeaker over Jose Rizal University Tuesday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Braña was at the right place at the right time as he turned CJ Isit’s airball into gold with a go-ahead short stab plus the bonus free throw that set the final tally with 5.9 seconds left.
“We’re just really lucky. The first shot was short and luckily Braña was there and he was able to make the basket and the free throw,” said Mapua head coach Atoy Co with a sigh of relief.
Braña finished with 16 points and eight rebounds while Allwell Oraeme recorded 19 points, 27 rebounds and a block for the Cardinals, who rose to fifth place with a 7-5 slate.
Mapua overcame Tey Teodoro’s 16 points in the fourth quarter after going scoreless in the first half.
Teodoro almost led JRU over Mapua again as he caught fire late — reminiscent of his 18-point explosion last Aug. 11 when the Heavy Bombers pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory after wiping out the Cardinals’ 18-point buffer in the final three minutes of the game.
Teodoro had 32 points in the Bombers’ 90-87 victory in the first round.
Isit and Josan Nimes combined for only 12 points in their return from injuries for the Cardinals.
JRU, which drew a game-high 21 points from Paolo Pontejos, slipped to sixth with a 6-6 record.