SAN JUAN, Metro Manila — Mapua University uncorked a dominant second-half performance to pull away from Arellano University, 69-55, while College of Saint Benilde pulled off a thrilling 81-79 overtime victory against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
After starting the season with three straight losses, the Mapua Cardinals secured their second consecutive win by breaking open a tied game at halftime and turning the second half into a one-sided affair.
Despite the setback, the Arellano Chiefs retained the top spot in Group B with a 4-1 record.
Yam Concepcion paced the Cardinals with a double-double performance of 22 points and 11 rebounds, supported by Ian Lazarte’s 17 points and Lance Nitura’s nine. Mapua head coach Chito Victolero praised Concepcion’s leadership following his standout performance.
“Siya ‘yong leader ko sa court at anchor namin sa depensa. Sa last two games, nahirapan siya, pero I reminded him about calmness,” Victolero said.
Renzo Abiera led the Chiefs with 13 points, while Yuan Camay added 10. T-Mc Ongotan was held to just seven points.
Mapua will next face Emilio Aguinaldo College on Tuesday, October 6, as the tournament moves to the crossover round, while Arellano aims to bounce back against Jose Rizal University on the same day.
In the second game, the CSB Blazers mounted a late fourth-quarter comeback, erasing a 69-61 deficit against Perpetual with an 11-3 run to force overtime at 74-all. Justine Sanchez then sank the game-winning three-pointer in the extra period to seal the win and lift Benilde to a Group A-leading 4-1 record.
Sanchez finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, matching Jhomel Ancheta’s 17-point output. Mark Gojo Cruz top-scored for the Altas with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as Perpetual fell to a 2-3 record.
The Scores:
First Game:
MAPUA 69 — Concepcion 22, Lazarte 17, L. Nitura 9, Cuenco 7, Igliane 4, Diaz 3, M. Nitura 2, Liwanag 2, Dones 2, Razon 1, Ryan 0, Reyes 0.
ARELLANO 55 — Abiera 13, Camay 10, Ongotan 7, Cabotaje 7, Flores 6, Hernal 3, Geronimo 3, Vinoyq 2, Buenaventura 2, Borromeo 2, Langit 0, Manansala 0, Anama 0.
Quarterscores: 19-15, 37-37, 53-44, 69-55.
Second Game:
BENILDE 81 — Sanchez 17, Ancheta 17, Jarque 9, Moore 9, Morales 7, Cajucom 5, Torres 3, Podador 2, Go 2, Lorenzo 0, Arciaga 0.
PERPETUAL 79 — Gojo Cruz 15, Casinillo 12, Duremdes 11, Gelsano 9, Tulabut 9, Orgo 7, Corpuz 6, Maglupay 6, Borja 4, Roluna 0.
Quarterscores: 13-12, 35-36, 58-62, 74-74, 81-79.