Mapua Cardinals rookie Chris Hubilla during a NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball game against Letran Knights. –NCAA PHOTO
Chris Hubilla sees himself as a bit player in the Mapua Cardinals’ casting, but his numbers on Friday surely don’t add up.
The rookie put up awesome figures, energizing his team’s high-octane offense in an 86-78 win over the Letran Knights at the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tourney.
“I’m just a role player in this team and was just lucky to have the opportunity to help us win,’’ said Hubilla in Filipino after posting near triple-double stats of 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists with one block and a steal.
NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball schedule
The athletic forward seized the moment to shine on both ends of the floor after Mapua team captain Clint Escamis got restrained by the Knights’ smothering defense.
“Chris showed what he’s capable of. He can help the team in many ways. But I would also like to credit Clint. What he couldn’t do in offense, he made up in defense,’’ said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.
Escamis, last year’s season MVP, put the cuffs on Letran shooter Vince Cuajao, who bungled half of his 10 shots with the Mapua King Cardinal on his face.
READ: NCAA 100: Clint Escamis owns up to Mapua loss vs San Beda
The Cardinals strengthened their bid for a favorable positioning in the Final Four with a 9-3 record, just half a game behind tournament leader College of St. Benilde (9-2).
James Miller and Kobe Monje came up with 14 points each while Cuajao added 13 in pushing the Knights, who fell to their sixth defeat in 12 games.
JC Recto had 14 points, John Jabonete tallied 13 and Lawrence Mangubat scored 10 as the Cardinals brace themselves for a crucial tiff with the San Beda Red Lions come Sunday.
“It’s going to be a battle for sure. We have a one-day rest as we prepare to meet them on Sunday,’’ said Alcantara.
The scores
MAPUA 86 – Hubilla 19, Recto 14, Jabonete 13, Mangubat 10, Bancale 9, Cuenco 7, Escamis 5, Abdulla 4, Concepcion 3, Garcia 2, Ryan 0, Fermin 0
LETRAN 78 – Miller 14, Monje 14, Cuajao 13, Montecillo 7, Santos 6, Go 6, Dimaano 5, Tagotongan 5, Jumao-As 4, Delfino 2, Nunag 2, Sarza 0
Quarter scores: 27-28, 44-44, 66-59, 86-78