Cards take over Red Lions, 68-54

Right up to the tip-off, both teams felt pressured to extend their winning streak. The Cardinals held their ground with a balanced play coming in for the baskets. To slow down their opponents’ momentum, the Intramuros ballers either limited or blocked each bucket the Red Lions attempted to throw in. The first quarter wrapped up with a three-point lead in favor of the Cards, 17-14.

Unfazed by the advantage, the Cards sought to widen the gap further with a heightened defensive play while the Red Lions committed multiple fouls against them. Like their previous game, Shooting Guard Paolo Hernandez was once again fouled from the rainbow country and received two more attempts on the charity line. Even though the Cards suffered through a five-minute drought after their last shot, they managed to pull through with the Red Lions trailing close behind in the second quarter, 31-27.

The battle between prey and predator continued in the second half as the Cardinals defended their nest, but the Red Lions barely scratched the hem. While the opposing team fished for buckets, the red and gold squad decided to strengthen their defense even more, effectively blocking the Mendiola-based team’s basket attempts.

The Cards balanced their offensive and defensive play. With less than eight seconds left in the third quarter, Shooting Guard Carl Brian Lacap sneaked past the lion’s den and passed the ball toward Shooting Guard Adrian Nocum for a definitive shot under the basket. The buzzer-beater shot confirmed a 10-point lead for the Cardinals, 50-40.

As the fourth quarter rolled in, the Intramuros-based team played bold combination plays, improving their offense. The Red Lions struggled to keep up with the Cards’ change of pace which merited a chance for the latter to secure a wider deficit. By the end of the last quarter, the Cardinals struck the Red Lions’ winning streak with a 14-point gap, 68-54.

Because of the Cards’ iron-clad defense, the Red Lions were only able to score an average of 13.5 points per quarter, which was unusual for a highly offensive team. The Mapúa Cardinals moved on with a 6-2 win-loss record while the San Beda Red Lions suffered their first loss of the season, slipping to 6-1.

Player of the Game Hernandez earned double-double with 14 buckets, 13 boards, and two steals. Forward Toby Bryan Agustin then chipped in 15 points, four rebounds, and one steal, while Team Captain and Forward Warren Bonifacio scored 13 points, four rebounds, and one steal.

The Cards balanced their offensive and defensive play. With less than eight seconds left in the third quarter, Shooting Guard Carl Brian Lacap sneaked past the lion’s den and passed the ball toward Shooting Guard Adrian Nocum for a definitive shot under the basket. The buzzer-beater shot confirmed a 10-point lead for the Cardinals, 50-40.

As the fourth quarter rolled in, the Intramuros-based team played bold combination plays, improving their offense. The Red Lions struggled to keep up with the Cards’ change of pace which merited a chance for the latter to secure a wider deficit. By the end of the last quarter, the Cardinals struck the Red Lions’ winning streak with a 14-point gap, 68-54.

Because of the Cards’ iron-clad defense, the Red Lions were only able to score an average of 13.5 points per quarter, which was unusual for a highly offensive team. The Mapúa Cardinals moved on with a 6-2 win-loss record while the San Beda Red Lions suffered their first loss of the season, slipping to 6-1.

On the other hand, Red Lion James Kwekuteye is his team’s highest scorer with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and one steal. Ralph Penuela followed with 13 points, one rebound, and two steals; and Rhayyan Amsali added six points and one rebound.

Hernandez shared in a post-game interview that this win was important for them as the first team to beat San Beda for this season. “Big game ‘to kasi motivation naming makapasok sa final four, sa finals. Every game counts,” he noted.

The red and gold squad last defeated the 22-time NCAA Seniors Basketball Champions in overtime, 101-97, on September 1, 2016, in NCAA Season 92.

For their final match in the elimination round of NCAA Season 97, the Cardinals are set to face off with another Intramuros-based team, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, tomorrow, April 27, at 12:00 noon, in the same venue. Upcoming games will continue to air on GTV with live streaming on the social media platforms of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH.

The Scores:
MU 68 – Agustin 15, Hernandez 14, Bonifacio 13, Pido 8, Nocum 8, Lacap 5, Gamboa 5, Salenga 0, Mercado 0
SBU 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

Quarter Scores:  17-14, 31-27, 50-40, 68-54