The Mapua Cardinals snapped their three-game losing streak and wrapped up their elimination-round campaign in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament with a victory over the Lyceum Pirates on Monday. Meanwhile, the EAC Generals beat the Arellano Chiefs to secure the No. 2 seed in Group B and earning a twice-to-beat advantage for the first time since joining the league in 2009.
Mapua Regains Winning Form With Win Over Lyceum
The Mapua Cardinals established an early advantage, leading 30-20 after the opening quarter and maintaining a 43-37 cushion at halftime.
Despite the Chito Victolero-led squad playing without key players Cyrus Cuenco, Ivan Lazarte, and Marcus Nitura, its reserves stepped up to keep the team ahead. The Cardinals carried a 57-52 lead into the final period, but the Pirates continued to threaten a comeback.
With Lyceum closing in at 66-65, Kyle Timbol delivered a crucial three-pointer to extend Mapua’s advantage to 69-65 with 3:32 remaining. Carl Nocum answered with a triple of his own, but Edward Ryan converted a jumper to restore the Cardinals’ three-point cushion, 71-68, with 2:46 left.
The Pirates had a chance to force overtime after Timbol missed two free throws in the final seconds, but Jasper Matienzo lost possession, ending Lyceum’s comeback hopes.
Timbol led Mapua with 20 points and 3 rebounds, while Jamal Diaz added 13 points. Russell Liwanag recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Khen Caduyac paced Lyceum with 17 points, while Nocum contributed 14.
The victory snapped Mapua’s three-game losing streak and gave the Cardinals a 7-6 record to finish fourth in Group A.
Lyceum ended its campaign at 4-9 and fifth in the group. The two teams will meet again in the play-in round, with Mapua holding the twice-to-beat advantage and momentum heading into their postseason showdown.
EAC Makes History With Win Over Arellano
Jude Bagay sparked EAC’s first-quarter surge with 15 points, helping the Generals take a slim 31-30 lead.
EJ Castillo then took charge in the second period, scoring 11 points as the Generals extended their advantage to 64-56 at halftime. The Chiefs remained within striking distance in the third quarter, with Renzo Abiera leading their rally to cut the deficit to 4, 75-71. However, EAC responded with a 7-3 run to preserve an 82-74 cushion entering the final period.
The Generals maintained control in the fourth, stretching their lead to 93-80 before Arellano attempted another comeback. The T-Mc Ongotan-led squad trimmed the gap to 7, 95-88, with 1:49 remaining, but Kyle Ochavo’s three-point play restored EAC’s double-digit advantage.
Jacob Shanoda then knocked down a crucial three-pointer in the closing seconds to help seal the victory.
Bagay and Castillo scored 23 points apiece to lead their team to a fourth consecutive victory. Wilmar Oftana also contributed 18 points as EAC completed the elimination round with a 7-6 record, earning the second seed in Group B.
Basti Valencia led Arellano with 23 points, while King Vinoya added 22 points and 9 rebounds. Abiera finished with 18 points, but Ongotan struggled, finishing with just 9 points and shooting 2-for-10 from the field.
The victory gave EAC the second seed in Group B and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Arellano settled for third with a 6-7 record and will enter the playoffs as the third seed.
