MANILA – Mapua University cruised to its second straight win after trouncing University of Perpetual Help, 73-65, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball Tuesday.

The Cardinals improved their record to 4-9, after taking their fourth win in five games. Meanwhile, the Altas suffered its seventh loss of the season for a 5-7 card.

Warren Bonifacio and Jeric Pido connived for a 24-point production, while Paolo Hernandez contributed 11 points for Mapua’s victory.

Trailing by three entering the second half, Mapua dropped a 12-3 run midway of the third period, capped by a coast-to-coast drive of Hernandez, for a 50-44 lead.

But Carlo Ferreras quickly helped the Altas recover with a triple to tie the match at 50, less than three minutes left in the third.

Mapua stepped on the gas pedal in the fourth with Pido draining a trey at the four-minute mark to establish a comfortable 69-59 separation against Perpetual.

Mark Omega and Christian Pagaran trimmed down their deficit, 65-69, with a jumper and a pair of charities, as time was reduced to the final 45 seconds.

But Adrian Nocum provided a crucial blow to the Altas as he scored a free throw before getting the offensive board off his missed shot which resulted in another trip to the line, 72-65.

Perpetual wasted the 22-point production of Ferreras.

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