Mapua’s Cyrus Cuenco against Perpetual Help in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Cyrus Cuenco wasn’t exactly a threat in offense against opposing teams last season.
But the reliable wingman turned on the switch and mounted another shooting spree in Mapua’s 71-57 victory over the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Altas on Wednesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
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“Our coaches told me to become a leader for the team this season,’’ said Cuenco after going six of eight from long range and finishing with a game-high 21 points.
READ: NCAA: Mapua escapes Lyceum on Lawrence Mangubat’s heroics
Armed with a silky touch from afar, Cuenco has the second-most number of threes made this season with 39, inching behind Letran Knight Deo Cuajao’s 41.
“I’ve been working on my shooting even before the season began, said Cuenco, whose back-to-back threes in the fourth toppled the Altas’ late charge.
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Riding on a hot streak of six consecutive victories, the immediate objective of the Cardinals (12-3) is to cement their position in the top two spots that possess a twice-to-beat leverage in the semifinals.
They can practically strengthen their bid on Sunday and even seize the No. 1 ranking with a victory over College of St. Benilde, the current pacesetter with only two losses in 14 games.
“It’s going to be a big game on Sunday for sure. We will gain confidence going into the playoffs if we can be successful against them,” said Cuenco.
READ: NCAA: Chris Hubilla, Marc Cuenco push Mapua past San Beda
Clint Escamis was likewise smoldering from afar, nailing three from the trifecta territory, including a bailout, shot clock-beating triple that bumped their advantage back to double digits inside two minutes.
Escamis, last season’s rookie-MVP, contributed 18 points while Chris Hubilla produced another energetic performance with 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
JP Boral had 14 points and Chris added 13 for the Altas, whose fate for a possible Final Four stint is no longer within their control after dropping their 10th in 16 games.
“We are aware that the coming playoffs are on a different level, so we always go for consistency, especially at the endgame,” said Hubilla.
The scores:
MAPUA 71 – Cuenco 21, Escamis 18, Hubilla 15, Concepcion 6, Mangubat 5, Abdulla 3, Bancale 2, Recto 1, Igliane 0, Jabonete 0, Ryan 0, Garcia 0
PERPETUAL HELP 57 – Boral 14, Pagaran 13, Abis 9, Gojo Cruz 6, Pizarro 6, Nuñez 2, Manuel 2, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 2, Movida 1, Sevilla 0, Thompson 0
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Quarterscores: 16-12, 29-30, 51-41, 71-57