Lawrence Mangubat and the Mapua Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Lyceum Pirates in thrilling fashion in the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday. –NCAA Photos
MANILA, Philippines – Lawrence Mangubat had a consistent clutch play and scored consecutive goals in Mapua’s 69-68 victory over Lyceum on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Tournament. I let it go.
Mangubat took a feed from Clint Escamis with 3.9 seconds left and beat the winning trio as the Cardinals remained within range of conference leader St. Benilde College.
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“I knew I could make a shot, but I didn’t think it would actually go in. Maybe I just got lucky,” said the 5-foot-11 Mapua rookie from Liloan, Cebu, Philippines. spoke. “I was surprised.”
Read: NCAA: Mapua rookie Chris Hivira gives former school a hard time
Mangubat tied his career high with 16 points and Chris Hubira scored 14 points for the Cardinals, who finished with an 11-3 record and advanced to secure a spot in the Final Four.
The Pirates had a chance to come back, but Jonathan Dyleg’s corner jumper missed the horn, giving Lyceum its eighth loss in 14 games.
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Lenz Villegas took over the Pirates’ offense in the fourth inning, scoring 14 of his game-high 22 points in that span, erasing Mapua’s double-digit lead.
“Today was a day off for our veterans, so I felt like I needed to step up. I’m working on my shots from different angles every day,” Mangubat said.
READ: NCAA: Chris Hubira and Mark Cuenco push Mapua past San Beda
The extra work in practice did wonders for the former Mapua Red Robin after he sank an off-balance corner jumper over Daireg’s outstretched arm, tying it once more at the count of 66 at the end.
Villegas then rolled the dice by attacking the hoop and banking a shot in front of three defenders with 9.7 seconds left to give the Pirates momentum.
It was then that the Cardinals designed an offensive pattern that put the ball in the hands of Escamis, last season’s MVP, and culminated in Mangubat’s dagger.
Score:
Mapua 69 – Mangubat 16, Juvilla 14, Cuenco 11, Escamiz 10, Concepcion 6, Iriane 4, Recto 4, Jabonete 2, Ryan 2, Abdullah 0, Bankale 0, García 0
Lyceum 68 – Villegas 22, Montaño 9, Cunanan 8, Avilés 7, Daileg 7, Guadaña 5, Barba 5, Peñafiel 3, Versosa 2, Caduillac 0, Moralejo 0
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Quarter scores: 18-12, 28-25, 54-40, 69-68
