NCAA: Chris Hubilla, Marc Cuenco push Mapua past San Beda

Mapua’s Chris Hubilla against San Beda in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Chris Hubilla didn’t mind winding up scoreless during the critical stretch as long as he restrained San Beda’s most reliable offensive weapon.

The energetic forward hardly gave Yukien Andrada room to operate and Marc Cuenco sparkled big time in lifting the Mapua Cardinals to a thrilling 58-55 win over the defending Red Lions on Sunday at the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball.

“Yukien is hard to defend, you don’t know what kind of shot he will take. Never mind that I didn’t score in the second half as long as I got to stop him,” said Hubilla in Filipino after pouring all of his 17 points in the first half.

READ: NCAA 100: Mapua rookies use first round woes as motivation

But while Hubilla was busy chasing down Andrada and reigning MVP Clint Escamis got all bottled up, Cuenco found ways to shine, knocking down 10 of his 11 points all in the fourth quarter.

The quick-witted Mapua guard’s go-ahead corner three approaching the final minute stopped the comebacking Lions in their tracks.

“It was good, but in the end it was our team effort that gave us the chance to win. We lacked the effort in our previous game, so we doubled our aggressiveness today,” said Cuenco.

Mapua’s Marc Cuenco during a game against San Beda in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

So assertive were the Cardinals that despite the size disparity compared to the Lions, they pulled down 51 rebounds, 25 of them offensive boards, compared to San Beda’s 31.

Hubilla’s gallant efforts for the second consecutive outing kept the Cardinals within grasp of the pacesetting College of St. Benilde Blazers.

READ: NCAA 100: Led by Chris Hubilla, Mapua trips Letran

They are half a game behind the leaders at 10-3 while sending the Lions to their fifth defeat in 13 games at solo third.

Bryan Sajonia had 12 points and Jomel Puno added 11 for the Lions, who had to crawl from 14 points down to set up a thrilling finish.

“This win is very crucial. It’s our chance to pull away and stay in contention for the top two spots (going into the Final Four),” said Hubilla, who limited Andrada to nine points in just seven attempts.

The scores:

MAPUA 58 – Hubilla 17, Cuenco 11, Escamis 7, Abdulla 5, Recto 4, Mangubat 4, Jabonete 4, Concepcion 3, Igliane 3, Bancale 0, Fermin 0

SAN BEDA 55 – Sajonia 12, Puno 11, Andrada 9, Estacio 6, Songcuya 6, Lina 6, Payosing 3, Tagle 2, Royo 0, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0

Quarterscores: 16-12, 32-23, 46-40, 58-55