Mapua stays on track for top 2 finish with big win over Lyceum (Sabong News)

Mapua rode on a huge fourth quarter assault to shake off a resilient Lyceum side, 75-65 and keep in pace with San Beda in the top 2 race in the NCAA Season 97 on Wednesday, April 27 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong. The Cardinals stepped on the gas pedal at the start of the payoff period as Arvin Gamboa and Juaquin Garcia sparked a furious 15-5 run to which the Pirates never recovered until the final buzzer. Mapua closed out the eliminations with a 7-2 record and was already assured of at least a third seed finish. Depending on the result of San Beda’s last assignment against Letran, Mapua can still climb up to the second spot and clinch an outright semifinals berth along with the twice-to-beat incentive. A Red Lions’ loss would have them tied with the Cardinals in the second seed with the the latter taking the semis seat due to Mapua’s convincing 68-54 victory over San Beda last week. Mapua displayed its depth with four players scoring in twin-digits led by Toby Agustin and Paolo Hernandez who had 13 points apiece. Brian Lacap added 12 markers while sparkplugs Gamboa and Garcia chipped in 10 points and 11 rebounds and nine points and four assists respectively. Hernandez said that while the Cardinals are happy to finally get a chance to make it to the Final Four, they are coming in prepared for the playoffs regardless if it’s in the play-in or in the semifinals with the twice-to-beat edge. “Masaya kasi after ilang years pwede kaming makapasok sa Final Four or sa Finals,” said the Cardinals star. “Wala kaming inaanticipate, kumbaga kahit anong maging resulta nung game na yon [Beda-Letran], so be it. Tuloy-tuloy lang kami, kung ano yung control namin, ‘yun ‘yung gagawin namin.” A San Beda victory, meanwhile, would pit Mapua to the fourth seed College of St. Benilde in the play-in with the winner advancing to the Final Four and the loser playing the winner of the match between the No. 5 and 6 teams. Up by only four at the start of the final frame, Garcia and Gamboa nailed back-to-back triples to erect the first double-digit spread of the game, 59-49. Agustin then scored on a layup while Gamboa traded baskets with Omar Larupay before Garcia capped the run with a triple to build the biggest lead at 16, 68-52 with over five minutes left in the game. John Barba finished with 16 points while Larupay added 15 markers and 14 boards as the Pirates wound up the season at the ninth place with a 2-7 record. The Scores: MAPUA 75 — Hernandez 13, Agustin 13, Lacap 12, Gamboa 10, Garcia 9, Nocum 6, Bonifacio 5, Asuncion 3, Pido 2, Mercado 2, Salenga 0. LYCEUM 65 — Barba 16, Larupay 15, Remulla 8, Cunanan 7, Navarro 6, Bravo 5, Guadana 4, Garro 3, Abadeza 1, Jabel 0, Valdez 0, Guinto 0. Quarters: 15-17, 32-34, 53-47, 75-65.