Mapúa University is NCAA champion once again, ending a 33-year title drought with a 94-82 Game 2 victory over De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cardinals completed an undefeated second round to clinch its 12th victory in a row, defeating Benilde Blazers in three of their four encounters this season.
Under coach Randy Alcantara, a key player in Mapúa’s back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991, the Cardinals overcame a 7-0 deficit early. The team evened the score at 21-all in the final two minutes of the first quarter, thanks to a layup from JC Recto and a pair of free throws. Lawrence Mangubat’s buzzer-beating three-pointer gave Mapúa the lead, and it never looked back.
Although the Blazers closed the gap to two points in the third period after a layup from Marc Sangco, Mapúa responded with a dominant run. A three-pointer from Rookie of the Year and Finals MVP Clint Escamis with 4:15 remaining gave the Cardinals an 82-66 lead, its largest of the game.
Cyrus Cuenco led the Cardinals with 19 points, three of them from beyond the arc, along with two rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Escamis contributed 18 points, one rebound, four assists, and a steal, following up his 30-point Game 1 performance.
Mangubat added 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Chris Hubilla posted 15 points and eight rebounds. The Cardinals’ defense also contained Benilde’s MVP Allen Liwag, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Blazers, Justine Sanchez led with 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Tont Ynot, making his debut after serving a residency, tallied 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Despite the effort, the Blazers fell short for the second time in three seasons, having also finished as runners-up in Season 98.
The win gives Mapúa its first NCAA title since 1991, while Benilde’s 24-year championship drought continues.
The Scores
MAPUA (94): Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0.
BENILDE (82): Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0.
QUARTERS: 24-23, 45-37, 66-56, 94-82.