The Letran Knights fall once again to the Mapua Cardinals in another close winless game as it nears the end of its first round in the NCAA Season 99. Photo courtesy of Eduardo Nollora Jr. of The LANCE.
New heroes rise as a dynasty falls.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights late-game surge was not enough as they suffered their sixth consecutive loss at the hands of the Mapua Cardinals, 71-76, in the NCAA Season 99 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan today.
Super rookie Vince Cuajao had himself a game as he finished with a team high 20 points on an efficient 63.4% from the field, followed by Kurt Reyson who scored 16 markers with six assists, and three steals, while Kevin Santos also churned out an efficient double-double performance of 14 and 11 boards.
Both Intramuros squads seeked to prove themselves in the early portion of the contest as one team aimed to assert themselves as a top team while the other continued to search for a win.
Escamis had other ideas however, he plunged dagger after dagger into the heart of the Knights as he had 10 of his 20 in the fourth alone to ice the game, 71-77.
The red and yellow proceeded to gain an early lead at the end of the first, 13-24 after a massive 18-3 run facilitated by Escamis and Bonifacio.
Mapua carried this momentum headed into the half as they pounced on Letran's lapses and turnovers extending the gap, 35-49.
The three-time defending champion showed glimpses of a time not so long ago to trim the deficit to one with a quarter to play, 54-55.
Mapua's two headed monster of Clint Escamis and Marc Cuenco fielded 20 goals of their own as they spearheaded the Cardinals' efforts on both ends of the floor.
Letran continues to search for the squad's first win of the season on Sunday as they face the Perpetual Altas in the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Scores:
Quarter scores: 13-24, 35-49, 55-56, 71-77
LETRAN (71)— Cuajao 20, Reyson 16, Santos 14, Javillonar 6, Go 6, Jumao-as 3, Ariar 2, Bojorcelo 2, Monje 2, Garupil 0, Battalier 0, Guarino 0, Fajardo 0.
MAPUA (77)— Escamis 20, Cuenco 20, Bonifacio 11, Soriano 9, Asuncion 5, Rosillo 4, Hernandez 4, Recto 4, Bancale 0, Dalisay 0, Fornis 0.