Mapua pulls off 2OT escape over Lyceum to start out title protection; San Beda scores

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Mapua acquired challenged proper on Day 1.

With workforce star Clint Escamis struggling, the Cardinals pulled off a one-point escape in opposition to the feisty Lyceum Pirates in double additional time, 90-89, to open the NCAA Season 101 males’s basketball match on the Sensible Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 1. 

JC Recto and rookie Earl Sapasap led the way in which for Mapua with 16 factors every as Cyrus Cuenco nailed the marginal basket after hitting the second of two free throws with 6.8 seconds left. 

Lyceum tried to win it with Renz Villegas launching a contested shot within the dwindling seconds, however his game-winning try fell quick.

The thrilling win gave Mapua an early 1-0 lead in Group A on this season’s new format the place the ten groups are cut up into two teams within the elimination spherical.

In Group B, the San Beda Crimson Lions mauled final 12 months’s runner-up St. Benilde Blazers within the second recreation, 96-85.

Cuenco (14 factors), Yam Concepcion (13 factors), and the returning Cyril Gonzales (11 factors) additionally chipped in double figures for the Cardinals. 

Escamis, the NCAA Season 100 Finals Most Precious Participant, completed with 8 factors on a woeful 4-of-15 taking pictures earlier than fouling out late on the 3:27 mark of the primary additional time. 

“I really feel like we had lapses on protection, and I really feel like we allow them to come again within the fourth, so we have to follow [on defense],” stated Escamis. 

“I used to be not in rhythm as a result of I’m enjoying via harm, however I do know that’s not an excuse.”

Escamis scored most of his factors throughout a fourth-quarter stretch that prolonged the Cardinals’ edge to 9, 72-63. 

Villegas, who discovered his scoring contact with a game-high 23 factors, towed the Pirates again, finally forcing the primary additional time with a cut up from the road, 74-74. 

Escamis had tried to win it in regulation, however he bricked a possible game-winning jumper.

Mapua got here near an upset loss within the first extension, however Recto compelled double additional time, 80-80, by finishing a three-point play with 10 seconds left.

Within the second further interval, the Pirates surrendered an 87-85 benefit because the Cardinals scored two consecutive baskets to wrest the lead at 89-87. 

Lyceum’s Michael Verzosa then tied the sport at 89-all by nailing a troublesome jumper with 33.7 seconds left to play, earlier than Cuenco’s game-winning free throw sealed the pulsating match.  

Mapúa’s Cyrus Nitura  debuted throughout the early moments of the second additional time, regardless of planning to not play as he recovers from an sickness. 

Crimson Lions roar early

Bryan Sajonia powered San Beda with 16 factors, whereas Agjanti Miller added one other 16 markers in his NCAA debut.

Trailing 30-26 after the primary quarter, the Crimson Lions put the clamps on the Blazers and held management the remainder of the way in which 

The Crimson Lions outscored final 12 months’s finalist, 45-31, to take a 71-61 lead heading to the ultimate body, then led by as many as 17 factors within the fourth quarter on the way in which to a cushty win.

Justine Sanchez’s environment friendly 24-point outing constructed on a 10-of-15 taking pictures went to waste for the Blazers, whereas reigning MVP Allen Liwag was smothered to 4-of-13 taking pictures en path to a 12-point, 12-rebound outing.

“We anticipated that each time we might face a workforce of Benilde’s caliber that they’d not give up simply, and I informed my workforce to decelerate, be extra composed,” San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta stated in Filipino after the sport.

“Good factor our free throws fell, it was an enormous contribution to our win,” he added, noting the Lions’ 24-of-31 clip from the charity stripe.

The Scores

First Recreation

Mapua 90 – Recto 16, Sapasap 16, Cuenco 14, Concepcion 13, Gonzales 11, Escamis 8, Igliane 8, Ryan 2, Gulapa 2, Nitura 0, Lazarte 0, Delos Reyes 0, Reyes 0, Abdulla 0.

Lyceum 89 – Villegas 23, Versoza 14, Daileg 13, Barba 8, Pallingayan 7, Gordon 5, Aurige 5, Aviles 5, Matienzo 4, Moralejo 3, Montaño 2, Peñafiel 0. 

Quarters: 19-21, 34-44, 63-55, 74-74 (reg.), 80-80 (1OT), 90-89 (2OT).

Second Recreation

San Beda 96 – Sajonia 16, Miller 16, Reyes 13, Andrada 11, Etulle 9, Gonzales 8, Calimag 7, Celzo 6, Culdora 4, Bonzalida 4, Lina 2, Estacio 0.

St. Benilde 85 – Sanchez 24, Torres 13, Liwag 12, Ancheta 8, Celis 6, Oli 6, Cometa 4, Cajucom 4, Moore 3, Morales 3, Gaspay 2, Umali 0, Eusebio 0, Daja 0.

Quarters: 26-30, 48-45, 71-61, 96-85.

– Rappler.com