Recap: Mapua Continues Descent, Loses To JRU In OT, 67-64

by Raymund Tamayo

Mapua can't find a win this season. Photo credit: Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net.

The Mapua Cardinals continue their descent in the NCAA Season 98 Men's Basketball Tournament after a close 67-64 overtime loss to the Jose Rizal University Bombers at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Friday.

Mapua managed to claw back from a 52-60 hole in the final four minutes, unleashing an 8-0 run capped by a basket from Adrian Nocum with 11.6 seconds remaining, to tie the score and the game into overtime.

However, coach Randy Alcantara's squad failed to capitalize in the extension, scoring four points only, with guard Joaqui Garcia failing to sink a three-point attempt at the buzzer that could have sent it to a second OT.

Brian Lacap paced Mapua with 13 points and six rebounds, while Warren Bonifacio had nine points and 13 boards. Nocum contributed eight points and 10 rebounds, but only shot 3-of-19 from the field.

Joshua Guiab led JRU with 17 points and 10 boards, while Agem Miranda had 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

To add salt to the wound, Mapua also forfeited their 66-55 win over San Beda in the opening games.

The NCAA ManCom released a memorandum on Saturday stating that the Cardinals fielded an ineligible player, Gab Gamboa, during that game. Gamboa is reportedly enrolled to another school as well, which is a violation of NCAA rules.

Mapua is now left winless with a 0-6 card so far in the tournament.

Here are the scores:

JRU 67 - Guiab 17, Dionisio 15, Miranda 13, Sy 8, Gonzales 8, Amores 2, Celis 2, Medina 2, Delos Santos 0, Arenal 0, Dela Rosa 0, Villarin 0, Joson 0.

Mapua 64 - Lacap 13, Bonifacio 9, Nocum 8, Gamboa 7, Hernandez 6, Garcia 6, Pido 5, Agustin 5, Soriano 3, Salenga 2, Igliane 0, Parinas 0.

Quarterscores: 19-14, 36-36, 50-47, 60-60, 67-64.