NCAA: Mapua comes back to beat EAC

Photo from NCAA

MANILA, Philippines-Carl Lacap and Warren Bonifacio conspired in the homestretch to pull off for Mapua a 73-67 come-from-behind victory over Emilio Aguinaldo and give fresh hope for the Cardinals in the NCAA Season 97 men’s basketball tournament at La Salle Greenhills Gym.

Trying to do better after disappointing campaigns in the past seasons, the Cardinals leaned on Lacap who made all of his 14 points in the fourth period alone. Bonifacio made seven in the same period to help the team which trailed 60-51with seven minutes left in the game.

The duo also picked up the slack for teammate Renz Nocum who exploded with 20 points in the first half only to turn cold in the final two quarters.

Bonifacio also accounted for 14 rebounds and six assists for Mapua.

Marwin Taywan uncorked a three-pointer for a 60-51 lead for the Generals, who appeared to be cruising to victory in the absence of any solid threat from the Cardinals.

But Lacap turned the tables by banging in back-to-back three-pointers to ignite the rally that saw the Generals only scoring seven points the whole stretch.

King Gurtiza, the big-haired guard for the Generals, led his team with 21 points, while Allen Liwag added 16 and Taywan 13.

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