The Mapua Cardinals suffered another heartbreak in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament as they endured yet again a one‑point loss, 88‑87, this time at the hands of the Lyceum Pirates on Monday evening.
Mapua Takes Control in the Second Half
The two teams battled evenly through the opening half, with the score tied at 25‑all after the first quarter before Mapua took a slim 47‑46 advantage into halftime.
The Cardinals then found their rhythm in the third period, putting together a 12‑2 run that allowed them to build their biggest lead of the game at 67‑57. Mapua maintained control heading into the final quarter, holding a 70‑64 advantage.
Lyceum, however, refused to fold as Mclaude Guadaña provided a spark from beyond the arc. The Pirates eventually caught up and tied the game at 76‑all, setting up a dramatic finish.
Lyceum’s Lance Aurigue Takes Over in the Fourth
Mapua regained the lead several times, but Lance Aurigue kept Lyceum within striking distance. After Mapua went ahead 81‑79, Aurigue completed an and‑one play to put the Pirates in front, 84‑83, with 1:47 remaining.
Marc Cuenco responded for Mapua, but Aurigue continued attacking inside and converted an important basket to put Lyceum ahead, 86‑85, with just over a minute left.
The third‑year forward then grabbed a crucial rebound and drew a foul, calmly making both free throws to extend the Pirates’ lead to 88‑85 with 39 seconds remaining.
Cardinals Miss Chance to Force Overtime
Mapua still had an opportunity to extend the game after Cuenco was fouled while attempting a three‑pointer. However, he converted only two of his three free throws, cutting Lyceum’s lead to 88‑87.
Aurigue later missed two free throws, but Mapua failed to capitalize on its final possession as Yam Concepcion missed the potential game‑winning attempt.
Aurigue finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Renz Villegas added 17 points and Matthew Rubico contributed 15 for Lyceum. Cuenco led Mapua with 15 points, while Marcus Nitura and Ivan Lazarte each scored 14.
Aurigue Motivated by Coach Jamike Jarin
The victory also marked Jamike Jarin’s first NCAA win as Lyceum’s head coach since his return to the league.
“Coming from a loss, pressured kami kasi kailangan talaga namin makuha ’yung panalo. Big thanks din sa mga teammates ko kasi nadepensahan nila ’yung last play and buti di pumasok,” Aurigue said in the post‑game conference.
The Pirates improved to 1‑1 in Group A, while the Cardinals suffered their second consecutive one‑point defeat and fell to 0‑2. They previously lost to the JRU Heavy Bombers, 65-64, on a game-winning triple down the stretch by Sean Salvador.
Lyceum will next face defending champion San Beda Red Lions, while Mapua looks to end its losing skid against the Benilde Blazers.
