MAPUA University clinched the No. 1 seed for the second straight season after escaping a gutsy Arellano University side, 75-69, in the NCAA 100 men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Saturday.
Mapua eclipsed College of Saint Benilde for the No. 1 spot after tallying a 15-3 card, while Benilde dropped to second with a 14-4 record.
The Cardinals will face host-school Lyceum University of the Philippines (10-8) in the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Muralla-based squad did not allow Arellano to tie the scoring in the last two minutes of the match despite T-mc Ongotan putting up the fight, sinking his two freebies, 69-67.
Rookie Chris Hubilla responded with a flawless jumper to widen the gap for the Cardinals, 71-67.
With both teams already in penalty, reigning MVP Clint Escamis splitted his charities to give Mapua an enough lead with 1:54 minutes remaining, 72-67, but Ongotan responded with a quick play to send the match to a one-game possession, 72-69.
However, Escamis was fouled anew and shot both of his freebies with 14.1 seconds remaining that sent the Cardinals away, 74-69.
Mapua was led by Cyrus Cuenco’s 11-point scoring, along with three rebounds and four assists.
“In terms of our defense and hustle, this batch of players are really into it. We heavily rely on our defense, [which] is our main adjustment in the second round, leading us to win against other teams,” head coach Randy Alcantara said in the game broadcast.
EJ Geronimo topscored for the Chiefs with 15-point effort, and Ongotan added 13.
Arellano finished the season with a 7-11 record.
