Lawrence Mangubat and the Mapua Cardinals celebrate after beating the Lyceum Pirates in thrilling fashion Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— Lawrence Mangubat proved steady in the clutch, unleashing crucial back-to-back baskets in Mapua’s 69-68 hairline triumph over Lyceum on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
Mangubat received the feed from Clint Escamis with 3.9 seconds left and knocked down the game-winning three as the Cardinals continued to stay within reach of tournament leader College of St. Benilde.
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“I knew that I would take the shot, but I’m not really expecting it to go in. Perhaps, I just got lucky,’’ said Mapua’s 5-foot-11 rookie from Liloan, Cebu in Filipino. “I was surprised.”
READ: NCAA: Mapua rookie Chris Hubilla torments former school
Mangubat tied his career-best 16 points and Chris Hubilla had 14 for the Cardinals, who moved a win from securing a sure spot in the Final Four with their 11-3 record.
The Pirates had the chance to reverse the outcome, but Jonathan Daileg’s corner jumper went off the mark at the horn, sending Lyceum to its eighth defeat in 14 outings.
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Renz Villegas took over the Pirates’ assault in the fourth, scoring 14 of his game-high 22 points in that span that wiped out a double-digit Mapua lead.
“Our veterans were off today, so I saw the need to step up. I’ve been working on my shots at different angles every day,” said Mangubat.
READ: NCAA: Chris Hubilla, Marc Cuenco push Mapua past San Beda
Doing extra workouts in practice created wonders for the former Mapua Red Robin after sinking an off-balanced corner jumper over the outstretched arms of Daileg that knotted the count one last time at 66.
Villegas then rolled the dice by attacking the hoop and banking a shot in front of three defenders, giving the Pirates the leverage with 9.7 seconds remaining.
It was at this time that the Cardinals designed an offensive pattern, putting the ball on the hands of Escamis, last season’s MVP, that culminated with Mangubat’s dagger.
The scores:
MAPÚA 69 – Mangubat 16, Hubilla 14, Cuenco 11, Escamis 10, Concepcion 6, Igliane 4, Recto 4, Jabonete 2, Ryan 2, Abdulla 0, Bancale 0, Garcia 0
LYCEUM 68 – Villegas 22, Montaño 9, Cunanan 8, Aviles 7, Daileg 7, Guadaña 5, Barba 5, Peñafiel 3, Versoza 2, Caduyac 0, Moralejo 0
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Quarterscores: 18-12, 28-25, 54-40, 69-68