Mapua delivered a fitting tribute to the golden anniversary of the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ via a 90-89 triple overtime cliffhanger over Lyceum of the Philippines University Wednesday in the 101sth NCAA basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a victory that set in motion the Cardinals’ title defense that came on the very same day and venue where one of the best, if not the best, sporting moments – which featured an unforgettable boxing duel between greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier – was staged exactly 50 years ago.
Jc Recto paced his team with 16 points that came with nine rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals while Marc Cuenco scattered 14 points, including that one free throw with 12 seconds remaining that eventually turned out the dagger.
It launched Mapua’s campaign for a back-to-back crown, or just a season after ending a long championship wait that spanned 33 years.
Yam Concepcion likewise came through with a double-double effort of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Clint Escamis, the 2023 MVP who decided to skip turning pro to suit up one final time for his alma mater, had an opening day mishap where he missed all his five 3-point attempts and finished with only eight points after fouling out late in regulation.
Good thing the others stepped up.
It was a heartbreaking finish for the Pirates, who appeared to have taken control in the second OT when it led by as much as five points early in that period only to disintegrate in the end.
LPU had one final chance to steal the win in the dying seconds but Lyon Pallingayan’s short jumper was fangless and off the mark.
Concepcion plucked the rebound to seal the deal.
The scores:
Mapua 90 – Recto 16, Sapasap 16, Cuenco 14, Concepcion 13, Gonzales 11, Escamis 8, Igliane 8, Ryan 2, Gulapa 2, Nitura 0, Lazarte 0, Delos Reyes 0, Reyes 0, Abdulla 0.
LPU 89 – Villegas 23, Versoza 14, Daileg 13, Barba 8, Pallingayan 7, Gordon 5, Aurige 5, Aviles 5, Matienzo 4, Moralejo 3, Montaño 2, Peñafiel 0.
Quarterscores: 19-21; 34-44, 63-55; 74-74 (reg.); 80-80 (OT); 90-89 (2OT)