Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament. -NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A hungry Mapua grabbed its first win of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament after nine tries, defeating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 67-55, at San Juan Arena on Saturday.
The Cardinals, who salvaged a 1-8 record to end the first round, pressured the Generals to only 30.6 percent shooting from the field.
“They had high energy, even players off the bench. They just did what they had to do for the team. I always tell them, there is no such thing as being unlucky on defense. Ask any coach or players, they don’t get unlucky on defense,” Mapua coach Randy Alcantara said.
The Generals, who now have seven losses in as many games, were within reach with 3:43 left in the ball game, 57-49 but Joaqui Garcia converted a three-point basket to give Mapua a more comfortable lead, 60-49.
The Cardinals doubled down on defense and got a steal on the other end, resulting in a dagger triple from Paolo Hernandez to keep EAC at bay for good, 63-49, with 3:11 remaining.
Mapua actually opened the season with a dominant victory over San Beda, but that victory was forfeited after the Cardinals fielded an ineligible player.
Warren Bonifacio tallied a double-double for the Cardinals with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Hernandez added 12. Adrian Nocum and Garcia contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Allen Liwag scored a game-high 22 in a losing effort for the winless EAC. JP Maguliano finished with 11 markers and eight boards while Ralph Robin scattered 10.