MANILA, Philippines–Steadily rising from the pits, the Mapua Cardinals thumped the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers, 83-63, built on the heroics of Laurenz Victoria and Paolo Hernandez on Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.
Victoria buried five triples and finished with 24 points while the rookie Hernandez sustained an impressive output with 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting as the Cardinals notched their third straight win after a 0-5 start.
The Heavy Bombers gamely fought in the first half but consequently slowed down in the next two quarters that led to their fifth defeat in eight games.
Creeping within eight early in the final period, the Heavy Bombers couldn’t sustain the onslaught after Victoria and Hernandez joined forces in a 14-2 closing run.
MAPUA 83—Victoria 24, Hernandez 20, Bunag 10, Bonifacio 8, Lugo 7, Gonzales 5, Nieles 5, Serrano 2, Gamboa 2, Aguirre 0, Garcia 0.
JRU 63—Miranda 19, Dionisio 14, Delos Santos 10, Macatangay 5, Amores 4, Arenal 4, Abaoag 4, Steinl 3, Dela Rosa 0, Jungco 0, Aguilar 0.
Quarters: 14-13, 31-29, 58-46, 83-63