Mapua turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College, 67-55, to end an agonizing eight-game losing skid Saturday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Cardinals put the game to bed at 63-49 after Paolo Hernandez hit a triple at the 3:11 mark.
The victory averted a winless first round campaign for last season’s runner-up Mapua, whose opening day win against San Beda was nullified for fielding in an ineligible player.
Warren Bonifacio had a double-double effort of 16 points and 10 rebounds, Hernandez chipped in 12 points, seven boards, and three assists while Rence Nocum had 11 points, eight boards, and three assists for the Cardinals.
“Siguro yung extra workout nila, tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami. Hindi kami tumitigil,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.
The Generals became the only winless team with their seventh consecutive setback.
Allen Liwag came through with 22 points, seven rebounds, while JP Maguliano chipped in 11 points and eight boards for EAC.
The scores:
First Game
Mapua (67)—Bonifacio 16, Hernandez 12, Nocum 11, Garcia 10, Pido 6, Cuenco 5, Salenga 4, Soriano 2, Parinas 1, Mercado 0, Lacap 0, Igliane 0.
EAC (55)—Liwag 22, Maguliano 11, Robin 10, Tolentino 5, Bajon 3, Luciano 1, Gurtiza 1, An. Doria 1, Cosa 1, Umpad 0, Balowa 0.
Quarterscores: 15-16, 35-27, 51-42, 67-55.