Cardinals swoop down on Knights to retain No. 2 spot

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua found a way to neutralize Letran’s full-court press as it hammered out an emphatic 86-78 victory Friday that kept it at No. 2 in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Chris Hubilla presided over press brake and nearly pulled off a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, which more than made up for his eight turnovers as the Cardinals improved to 9-3, or just half a game behind the St. Benilde Blazers (9-2).

“Hindi ko na iniisip sarili ko, gusto ko lang manalo team,” said the bull-strong rookie wing.

Hubilla meshed well with JC Recto, who chipped in 14 points, while big man John Jabonete did well in filling the void for starting but suspended center Marc Igliane by firing 13 points.

The Cardinals did well despite the struggles of skipper Clint Escamis and the sprained ankle suffered by Marc Cuenco during the game.

The Knights, who were minus their top scorer Jimboy Estrada who was suspended for a game, fell from a share of No. 4 with the Lyceum Pirates (6-5) to a fifth with a 6-6 mark.

Earlier, San Beda relied on Yuki Andrada’s 3-point explosion as it repulsed University of Perpetual Help, 57-53, to keep its place at third with an 8-4 slate.

Andrada ended up with a game-high 21 points, including five booming triples.

He had 11 straight points to start the second quarter that proved to be the turning point as the Lions erased a 19-8 deficit and transformed it to a 29-26 edge at halftime.

The Altas dropped to 5-7.

The scores:

First Game

San Beda 57 – Andrada 21, Lina 9, Puno 8, Estacio 6, Calimag 6, Tagle 4, Sajonia 3, Payosing 0, Bonzalida 0, Tagala 0, Songcuya 0, Celzo 0.

UPHSD 53 – Gojo Cruz 14, Nuñez 11, Pagaran 10, Abis 7, Boral 4, Manuel 3, Montemayor 3, Pizarro 1, Orgo 0, Gelsano 0.

Quarterscores: 8-19; 29-26; 44-38; 57-53.

Second Game

Mapua 86 – Hubilla 19, Recto 14, Jabonete 13, Mangubat 10, Bancale 9, Cuenco 7, Escamis 5, Abdulla 4, Concepcion 3, Garcia 2, Ryan 0, Fermin 0

Letran 78 – Miller 14, Monje 14, Cuajao 13, Montecillo 7, Santos 6, Go 6, Dimaano 5, Tagotongan 5, Jumao-As 4, Delfino 2, Nunag 2, Sarza 0.

Quarterscores: 27-28; 44-44; 66-59; 86-78.