Paolo Hernandez produced a double-double effort in a reserve role as Mapua stalled San Beda’s march to the Final Four with a 68-54 victory Saturday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Dealing the Red Lions their first loss while keeping the Cardinals’ hopes of advancing to the Final Four outright alive, Hernandez provided the needed spark off the bench with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
“Lagi akong ready, mapa-first stringer or second-stringer man,” said Hernandez, who also had two assists and two steals in 29 minutes of action.
As Mapua holds the tiebreaker over San Beda in case both teams end up tied at No. 2 at the end of the elimination round, Hernandez hopes that his troops will sustain the same energy against Lyceum of the Philippines University on Wednesday.
“Same mentality. Hard work pa rin. Lahat ng teams dito, contender. Walang mahina, lahat malakas,” said Hernandez.
Posting their third consecutive win, the third-running Cardinals moved up to 6-2, trailing the Lions (6-1) by just half a game.
“Sarap ng feeling na talunin ang nasa top team,” said Mapua captain Warren Bonifacio, who contributed 13 points, four boards and three blocks. “Sobrang saya kasi lahat ng pagod, lahat ng pinaghirapan sa ensayo, nagbunga.”
Toby Agustin also played big for the Cardinals with a game-high 15 points.
It was San Beda’s worst loss since dropping a 72-91 decision to Arellano University on Oct. 1, 2015.
James Kwekuteye led San Beda with 14 points and 11 rebounds while Ralph Penuela added 13 points, three assists, and two steals.
The scores:
First Game
Mapua (68)—Agustin 15, Hernandez 14, Bonifacio 13, Pido 8, Nocum 8, Lacap 5, Gamboa 5, Salenga 0, Mercado 0.
San Beda (54)—Kwekuteye 14, Penuela 13, Amsali 6, Andrada 5, Gallego 4, Bahio 3, Sanchez 3, Alfaro 2, Ynot 2, Cuntapay 2, Abuda 0, Villejo 0.
