Mapua Cardinals young sniper Lawrence Mangubat. Photo from NCAA Philippines.

MANILA — Mapua University avoided a fourth-quarter meltdown against Lyceum of the Philippines University to boost its chances of getting a twice-to-beat advantage in NCAA Season 100.

The Cardinals escaped the Pirates, 69-68, during their men's basketball Round 2 faceoff all thanks to the heroics of Lawrence Mangubat, Tuesday afternoon at the San Juan Arena.

The Cebuano rookie scored the Intramuros-based squad's last five points which included the game-winner, and these completed his team-high of 16 points (4/9 3pts), five rebounds, and two assists. 

"Nagpapasalamat lang ako kay Coach Randy [Alcantara] sa last shot," said the 5-foot-10 Mangubat after the game. "Nag draw siya ng play para sa akin. Galing din ako doon sa last shot, yung ca corner, so para sa akin yung isang option nung sa last play namin."

With Mapua trailing 68-66 in the last 10 seconds of the game, reigning MVP Clint Escamis was in possession of the ball, and he went on to swing it to the curling Mangubat who eventually drained a three-pointer to give his team a 69-68 lead. 

"Timing lang talaga," said Mangubat of his shot. "Good pass yun ni Clint sa akin. Malaki rin kasi yung tiwala niya sa akin, bilang kasama ko siya sa pag e-extra [shooting]. Nag bunga lang yun."

Jonathan Daileg still had the opportunity to steal the win with still 4.5 from the clock, but his shot from the baseline missed the bottom of the net. 

Prior to this, Mangubat also had a crucial basket to tie the contest. 

Mapua’s Lawrence Mangubat (left) and Clint Escamis (right) celebrating the former’s game-winning basket. Photo from NCAA Philippines.

After the Cardinals squandered a 54-40 advantage to start the final frame, they saw themselves down 66-64 after Renz Villegas — who was on fire in the fourth — made all of his three attempts at the foul line with only 38 ticks left in the game.

Mangubat then went on to hit a difficult basket to tie the game at 66 and keep Mapua alive, but he admitted that even he himself was surprised by how that attempt went in

"'Di ako makapaniwalang na-shoot yun eh," he said. "May tao sa harap ko, tinapon ko lang. Pero na-shoot naman."

Fortunately, he made the necessary plays for Mapua, which is now, alongside College of St. Benilde, assured of at least a playoff for a Final Four spot.

"Importante 'to, para mag tuloy tuloy yung streak namin. Mabo-boost din nito yung kumpyansa namin, mga crucial games na," he said. 

Also starring for Mapua are Chris Hubilla who finished with 14 points, markers, two boards, an assist, and a steal before fouling out, Cuenco who posted 11, and Escamis who scattered 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, a steal, and a block.

On the other hand, Villegas had a game-high 22 points — 14 in the final canto — to lead LPU. Unfortunately, they fell to 6-8, tied with the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA at the sixth and seventh spot.

THE SCORES:

Mapua 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.

Quarterscores: 18-12, 28-25, 54-40, 69-68.

RELATED VIDEO: