Mapua overcomes slow start, escapes Lyceum for crucial NCAA 101 A win
Yam Concepcion’s efficient performance powered Mapua University to a 78-73 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Concepcion led the Cardinals with 15 points and four rebounds on an impressive 6-of-8 shooting clip. JC Recto registered a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Cyrus Cuenco provided a spark off the bench with 12 points.
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“Slow start pa rin kami, parang hindi pa rin namin ma-improve yung first half at natatambakan kami. Sabi ng coaches kanina sa dugout, kailangan namin tumrabaho sa depensa kasi ayun yung strength namin. So pag hindi kami dumepensa, matatambakan kami,” Recto said, recalling how Mapua battled back from a first-half deficit against LPU.
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The Pirates opened strong, with Renz Villegas and Jonathan Daileg combining for 16 points to take a 28-21 lead after the first quarter while shooting an impressive 61.1 percent from the field.
Lyceum stretched the lead to as much as 12, 35-23, with 6:12 remaining in the second period off a Joshua Moralejo layup. However, Mapua clawed back with a 10-2 rally capped by a Concepcion three-point play to briefly take the lead, 41-40, before the half ended.
The Cardinals carried that momentum into the second half, igniting a 13-1 run capped by two Clint Escamis free throws to establish a 54-43 advantage midway through the third quarter.
Mapua entered the final frame up 61-55, but Lyceum came storming back behind Daileg’s six-point outburst in a 10-0 run that pushed the Pirates ahead, 65-61.
Recto, however, nailed a crucial three-pointer to reclaim the lead for the Cardinals at 72-70 with 1:30 left. Cyril Gonzales then drained a midrange jumper to widen the gap to 76-72.
