Mapua University guard Marc Cuenco. Photo from NCAA Philippines.

MANILA — Mapua University kept its hold of the Top 2 seed after it moved past University of Perpetual Help System DALTA as the elimination round of NCAA Season 100 nears its end.

The Cardinals moved past the Altas, 71-57, during their men's basketball tournament bout, Wednesday afternoon at the San Juan Arena all thanks to the efforts of Marc Cuenco, Clint Escamis, and Chris Hubilla.

Cuenco finished with a game-high 21 points that were built on six three-pointers, Escamis followed with 18 markers and five assists, while Hubilla had 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

These helped the Randy Alcantara-mentored team to improve to 12-3 in the team standings, a good position for a squad that is hoping to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

Entering the second half down 30-29, the Cardinals went on an 18-to-4 surge to open the third canto, and capping this run was an Escamis jumper that created a 47-34 Mapua lead with 4:52 on the clock.  

The Las Piñas-based cagers, however, did not waver and brought the deficit down to seven, 61-54, as Chris Pagaran hit a deuce with still 2:06 left in the game. 

Unfortunately for the Altas, this was the nearest that they could get as Cuenco and Escamis drained back-to-back treys to re-extend their lead to double digits and finally chalk the win.

JP Boral led Perpetual with 14 points and Pagaran followed him with 13, but there weren't enough as they fell to 6-10 in the standings.

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 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

Quarterscores: 16-12, 29-30, 51-41, 71-57