MAPUA drew strength from Marc Cuenco and Clint Escamis in the second half as it routed San Sebastian College, 91-72, on Friday to enhance its Final Four stock in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Cuenco and Escamis took turns in presiding over that onslaught in the final two quarters and finished with 26 and 25 points, respectively, as the Cardinals improved to a 4-2 record.
After Mapua and SSC-R fought tooth and nail in the first half, Cuenco and Escamis, the reigning MVP, went on a two-man tear with the former dropping 17 points and the latter 10, sparking the series of runs that put the game out of reach.
It was deluge that not even the high-scoring Tristan Felebrico and Rafael Are, who fired 20 and 17 points, respectively, had an answer for as the Stags sank to their fifth straight defeat after starting the season with two triumphs in a row.
The Cardinals actually attempted to pull away as early as the first half when it seized a 35-24 second quarter edge.
But every time they did, the Stags just seemed to always have the answer, thanks to the persistent duo of Felebrico and Are.
SSC-R even managed to trim it down to just a four-point deficit at the half, 39-35 after winning the exchange, 11-4, late in the second canto.
It turned out the Stags’ last hurrah as Cuenco and Escamis and the Cardinals’ stifling defense turned the tide in their favor.
Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde vented its ire on Lyceum of the Philippines University with a merciless 103-78 rout to remain at the helm.
Unlike in the last outing where they blew what could have been a win and lost to the Letran Knights, 71-69, Sunday, the Blazers were in full control in booking their fifth win in six outings to keep them well perched and alone on top.
“Hindi kami pwede mag-relax, lahat ng teams gusto kami talunin,” said CSB big man Allen Liwag, who had 22 points, 12 rebounds and a block in helping propel the team to a 5-1 mark.
The Pirates sank to 3-3.
The scores:
First Game
Mapua 91 – Cuenco 26, Escamis 25, Hubilla 12, Bancale 6, Igliane 6, Jabonete 6, Concepcion 6, Mangubat 4, Abdulla 0, Fermin 0, Pantaleon 0, Agemenyi 0
SSC-R 72 – Felebrico 20, Are 17, Aguilar 9, Cruz 8, Escobido 7, L. Gabat 3, Suico 3, Velasco 2, Lintol 2, R. Gabat 1, Pascual 0, Ricio 0, Ramilo 0
Quarterscores: 22-12; 39-35; 65-48; 91-72
Games Saturday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11 a.m.- San Beda vs AU
2:30 p.m.- UPHSD vs Letran
