Mapua keeps Final Four bid going, clips Perpetual Help

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Noah Lugo saved the day for Mapua and their season as well after the Cardinals slipped past the Perpetual Help Altas, 85-81, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Trailing by three with under two minutes remaining, Lugo buried a game-tying three and found a cutting Justin Serrano in the next sequence for an underneath stab that pushed the Cardinals ahead.

Laurenz Victoria sealed Mapua’s ninth win in 17 games with a pair of freebies in the last 10 seconds.

“It’s difficult to win against Perpetual. But I saw in the eyes of my players that they will do anything to get this one,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.

The Cardinals will try to wrap up the second round with a victory over the College of St. Benilde Blazers on Friday to keep them in the hunt for a semifinal spot.

Ben Adamos was a steady presence inside with 25 points while Kim Aurin added 19 for the Altas, who fell to 4-12.

The scores:

MAPUA 85—Bonifacio 15, Victoria 14, Lugo 12, Gonzales 11, Gamboa 11, Aguirre 9, Bunag 6, Garcia 3, Salenga 2, Serrano 2, Nieles 0.

PERPETUAL 81 — Adamos 25, Aurin 19, Razon 18, Charcos 9, Sese 3, Labarda 2, Sevilla 2, Cuevas 0, Guissani 0, Tamayo 0.

Quarterscores: 25-18, 46-43, 65-64, 85-81.