Mapua claws back to beat Perpetual, nabs 3rd seed

Mapua Cardinals huddle up after the big win. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Mapua held Perpetual without a field goal in the fourth period to score a come-from-behind 67-63 victory Friday and claim the third seed in the Final 4 in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Allwell Oraeme led Mapua, which finished the eliminations round with a 12-6 record, with 14 points and 24 rebounds.

Joseph Eriobu got 10 markers and six boards, none bigger than his pair of charities with 3.4 left on the clock, while Andrew Estrella added 10

The Cardinals clawed back from a 17-point deficit, 61-44, in the third period and held the Altas, the league’s best defensive team, to a measly two points coming from free throw line splits from Prince Eze in the final 10 minutes.

Darell Menina drained the go-ahead three, while Eriobu followed it up with a baseline jumper to give Mapua’s side a 65-62 lead within the final two minutes.

Head coach Atoy Co, though, wasn’t glad with the way the game transpired as the Cardinals trailed big even without Bright Akhuetie terrorizing them.

“The way I look at it, Perpetual intentionally played without Bright and they played with their second group. Unti-unti nila pinasok third stringers nila, pero nawala yung sistema namin, nagkanya-kanya at
sumama ang depensa namin,” he said.

But Co was satisfied to go into the playoffs on a winning note.

“Kumpyansa ang players that we’re able to beat Perpetual than going sa Final Four na galing sa talo,” he said. “It’s nicer going in na panalo. Di mababa ang loob mo.”

Eze topped Perpetual (11-7) with 12 points, six rebounds, and five blocks, while GJ Ylagan got 10 markers and seven boards in the defeat.

The Scores:

MAPUA 67 – Oraeme 14, Eriobu 10, Estrella 10, Victoria 8, Orquina 6, Isit 5, Menina 5, Raflores 4, Dela Rosa 4, Serrano 1, Bunag 0, Aguirre 0
PERPETUAL 63 – Eze 12, Ylagan 10, Hao 9, Dagangon 7, Mangalino 6, Coronel 5, Sadiwa 5, Yuhico 4, Dizon 3, Pido 2, Gallardo 0, Oliveria 0, Singontiko 0

Quarters: 23-13, 32-37, 50-61, 67-63.