Mapua sustained its impressive play in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, notching a third straight win on Wednesday by upending National University, 87-82.
Lawrence Victoria hit two free throws to snap the game’s last tie at 78, and then ushered the Cardinals ahead for good with a tough turnaround jumper to seal the deal and hand the young Bulldogs a gut-wrenching defeat.
National University was in the lead for the last time at 77-75 after a Chino Mosqueda lay-up.
Rookie Warren Bonifacio led Mapua with 25 points and 12 rebounds, outperforming much taller National U counterpart Issa Gaye, who finished with 14 and 13.
Victoria finished with 13 points.
JV Gallego led NU with 16 points, with Shaun Ildefonso scoring 15.
“I think it helped that we started preparing early,” said veteran swingman Cedric Pelayo of the strong teamwork of the Cardinals. “In the last Filoil, we were 0-6 and we just really worked hard to improve.”
In other matches, the University of the East Red Warriors, with incoming head coach Joe Silva watching at ringside, outlasted a turnover prone Emilio Aguinaldo College squad, 73-59.
Alvin Pasaol scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Warriors, the winningest team in the UAAP which produced some of the country’s finest players in Sonny Jaworski and Allan Caidic, to name two.
Philip Manalang was the only other Warrior in twin digits with 23.
“I think UE is one import away from challenging for a Final Four slot in the UAAP,” said Silva, who won two UAAP Juniors titles with Ateneo as a coach.
Silva served as one of Jamike Jarin’s assistants at Ateneo for several years, making him ready for this big break.
“I am proud that we won championships together. I am proud that he won on his own. And I am even more proud that he is now given this opportunity. It is well deserved.”
This tournament has become a good gauge for the schools for the coming UAAP and NCAA wars.