Mapua sweeps Benilde to win NCAA Season 100 title

9 December, 2024
Photo Courtesy: NCAA/GMA
Juan Karlo Libuano (JKL)

Mapua finally won another NCAA title in men’s basketball after 33 years of waiting.

The Cardinals overcame the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 94-82, in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series to win their first championship since 1991.

The victory was a fitting gift for the university, which will mark its 100th year anniversary in January 2025.

In the first quarter, Benilde started the game with a 7-0 run, but their turnovers started to pile up resulting in a one-point advantage for Mapua after the period.

During the second quarter, Mapua had a 21-14 advantage as they took a 12-point lead before halftime.

The Cardinals poured 8-of-16 from the rainbow country in the second half to establish their authority and finally grabbed the championship after the final buzzer sounded.

As the tears flowed on the court, Mapua coach Randy Alcantara, said: "Siyempre, walang kasing sarap. After three tries, yung minimithi namin, finally nakuha namin."

Alcantara was named Coach of the Year, while Mapua main man Clint Escamis was the Finals MVP after averaging 24.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 steals.

Cy Cuenco top-scored for Mapua with 19 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the arch, while Lawrence Mangubat added 17, and the season’s top rookie, Chris Hubillia shared 15 and eight rebounds.

Meanwhile, Justine Sanchez poured in 24 points, nine boards, five assists and three steals in a losing effort for the Blazers. Tony Ynot also added 17, as Season MVP Allen Liwag had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

 

The scores:

MAPUA 94 - Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0.

BENILDE 82 - Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0.

Quarter Scores: 24-23; 45-37; 66-56; 94-82.

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Castro added three steals and two assists in his return to help TNT Tropang Giga get the 109-93 victory over the Blackwater Bossing on Thursday night, December 19, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

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TNT's all-around import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson supported Castro with his 22 points, nine rebounds, five dimes, five deflections, and a block.

Four more Tropang Giga scored in double digits to get their second straight victory of the tourney. Rey Nambatac contributed 19, Calvin Oftana provided 18, RR Pogoy put up 12, and Glenn Khobuntin added 10.

Meanwhile, Blackwater high-scoring import George King, who averaged 39 points per game, was only limited to a conference-low 28 markers on 10-of-22.

The Bossing also don't have their prized rookie Sedrick Barefield due to injury.

With King being handcuffed and Barefield not in the lineup, RK Ilagan stepped up and poured out 19 points highlighted by 3-of-3 shooting from the arc.

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Heading, Diallo lead Converge to win number 4

Sweet-shooting guard Jordan Heading and import Cheick Diallo poured out 21 points each to lead Converge in their victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 116-105, on Thursday night, December 19, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The win marked the first time that the FiberXers won back-to-back games in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup and improved their record to 4-2.

Besides Heading and Diallo, four more Converge players scored in double digits. Schonny Winston and Bryan Santos contributed 16 apiece, while Alec Stockton and BJ Andrade added 14 and 11, respectively.

Their twin towers, ace center Justin Arana and top pick rookie Justine Baltazar both came out with six markers.

"We give credit to our guys," said FiberXers acting head coach Franco Atienza, who admitted that he was anxious when Phoenix made a good start that led to a 20-2 lead.

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Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led Phoenix with 30 points and 18 rebounds. He was supported by RJ Jazul's 20, Tyler Tio's 13, and Ricci Rivero's 11. 

The Fuel Masters now have a 1-5 win-loss record after dropping their final game of the year.

 

The Scores:

CONVERGE 116 - Heading 21, Diallo 21, Winston 16, Santos 16, Stockton 14, Andrade 11, Arana 6, Baltazar 6, Racal 5, Delos Santos 0, Caralipio 0.

PHOENIX 105 - Smith 30, Jazul 20, Tio 13, Perkins 12, Rivero 11, Tuffin 8, Verano 4, Garcia 3, Soyud 2, Manganti 2, Salado 0, Alejandro 0, Muyang 0, Ular 0, Daves 0.

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Notwithstanding the efforts of June Mar Fajardo and recently signed import Torren Jones for San Miguel, Eastern maintained their lead.

After a difficult turn-around shot by Fajardo, the Beermen were able to cut the margin to just two points at 58-60 in the fourth quarter.

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The Scores:

Hong Kong 71 – Lam 19, McLaughlin 16, Yang 11, Blankley 7, Xu 5, Leung 5, Chan 4, Zhu 4, Cheung 0, Pok 0, Guinchard 0. 

San Miguel 62 – Fajardo 19, Jones 19, Perez 8, Miller 5, Trollano 3, Tautuaa 3, Cahilig 3, Rosales 2, Ross 0, Lassiter 0. 

Quarter Scores: 28-14, 48-34, 60-48, 71-62. 

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