The Mapua Cardinals survived a 15-point collapse against the Letran Knights to escape with a 69-67 overtime victory and extend its winning streak to four games in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After opening the season with three straight losses, the Cardinals have turned their campaign around with four consecutive wins, improving to 4-3 in Group A. They also remain unbeaten in the crossover round.
“We led by 15, but they kept on coming back; that’s the spirit of Letran,” said Mapua head coach Chito Victolero. “But I’d like to give credit to the composure of the whole team, these rookies.”
Playing without star playmaker Titing Manalili, the Knights struggled to contain Mapua’s early offensive outburst as the Cardinals controlled the first three quarters. Then the Battle of Intramuros heated up. After building their biggest lead, Mapua went cold, allowing Letran to unleash a 15-0 run that began in the final three minutes of the third quarter and carried into the middle of the fourth.
Letran Rallies, Mapua Holds On
Justin Cargo’s fastbreak layup gave the Knights their first lead of the game, 59-58, with 3:25 remaining, and Justine Hugo stretched it to three from the free-throw line with less than a minute left. Ivan Lazarte, however, stopped the bleeding with an and-one that tied the game at 61-all with 50 seconds to go.
Lance Nitura’s jumper to reclaim the lead was blocked by Kevin Santos, but Letran failed to convert on its final possession, sending the game into overtime. There, Lance and Marcus Nitura took charge, combining for seven points to build a 68-64 cushion. Hugo cut it to 69-67 with a tough layup with 32 seconds left, but the Knights missed a potential game-tying jumper, and Mapúa held on.
It was the Cardinals’ second straight overtime win after their 89-84 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College on October 6.
“Very happy, but ‘di pa dito natatapos ang lahat. We’re trying siguro na pag-aralan ‘yung mga mali namin,” said Victolero, who also called the win a character-builder. “I think ‘yung mga ganitong laro, it’s a big morale-booster for everyone and ‘yung maturity ng team ko.”
Five Cardinals finished with 11 points, led by Yam Concepcion, who put up a double-double with 11 rebounds despite fouling out. Lance Nitura, Jamal Diaz, Marc Cuenco, and Lazarte also scored 11 apiece.
Letran, on the other hand, absorbed its third loss and dropped to 4-3 in Group B, where it is now tied with Arellano University. Chad Gammad led all scorers with 18 points and four steals in the losing effort, while Jimboy Estrada added 13 points and 3 steals, and Cargo chipped in 10 points and 8 assists.
What’s Next
Mapua looks to keep its winning streak going on Friday, October 16, when they take on the Perpetual Help Altas. Letran, meanwhile, will attempt to get back in the win column a day earlier on Thursday, October 15, when they face off against the JRU Heavy Bombers. Both games will be played at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
