Veterans Paolo Hernandez and Clint Escamis provided the key baskets at endgame to power the Mapua Cardinals to a 73-69 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Sunday at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Hernandez and Escamis came into the picture in the last 36 seconds as their baskets handed the Cardinals their second straight win in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
A jumper from Hernandez in the final 36 seconds, followed by a pair of charities from Escamis with 11 seconds remaining, allowed the Cardinals to get past a 69-all deadlock.
Jopet Soriano led with 15 points for the Cardinals, who kept their share on second place at 4-1 with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
Soriano stepped in for an ailing Warren Bonifacio, who was nursing a fever and made only six points in the 20 minutes he played.
Cardinals’ coach Randy Alcantara commended the help that Soriano gave in place of Bonifacio in the shaded lane.
“Sa leadership Clint at ni Boni, and of course, ang mga role player namin, hindi sila bumitaw at nagsimula ulit kami sa defense namin,” said Alcantara.
“The whole game parang habol kami ng habol, buti na lang noong huli may puso pa rin,” added Alcantara.
The Generals, with Nat Cosejo making 23 points, slipped behind the standings with their 2-2 card.