NCAA: Clutch triples help Mapua, Lyceum escape

Mapua’s Cyrus Cuenco during a game against EAC in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Mapua claimed solo second place after slipping past Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-79, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.

Cyrus Cuenco buried the game-winning triple with 15.2 seconds left as the Cardinals upped their mark to 8-3.

Reigning MVP Clint Escamis led the way for Mapua with 23 points on top of six rebounds, one steal and a block while Cuenco and Chris Hubilla added 16 points apiece.

King Gurtiza misfired on a potential game-tying 3-pointer for the Generals, who dropped to 5-6. Gurtiza finished with 14 points. Harvey Pagsanjan paced EAC with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Lyceum escapes San Beda

Lyceum’s Greg Cunanan is mobbed by his teammates after sinking the game-winning triple against San Beda in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

Like Mapua, Lyceum also banked on a clutch triple to stun defending champion San Beda, 64-62.

With the Pirates down by one, captain Greg Cunanan came through in the clutch after hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.6 ticks to go.

Cunanan scored 11 points while Gyle Montano tallied a team-high 12 points for Lyceum, which tied Letran in fourth place with a 6-5 card.

The Red Lions, who drew 12 points and eight rebounds from Bismarck Lina, saw their four-game winning streak snapped and slid to third in the standings with a 7-4 slate.