Mapua leaned on Cyrus Cuenco to outlast Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-84, in overtime in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday night at San Juan Arena.
Cuenco turned in 28 points that went with four rebounds and four assists to push the Cardinals to their third straight win for a 3-3 record.
‘Our captain stepping up in overtime is such a big thing for us,’ coach Chito Victolero said.
‘It’s nice to have a veteran that we can rely on and step up during crunch time.’
Cuenco scored seven points in the extra session, six of which came in a game-deciding 9-0 run.
Ivan Lazarte also played a big role in the victory with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He buried a triple that gave the Cardinals an 81-72 cushion before sinking two free throws for an 83-76 advantage with 1:32 to go.
The Cardinals squandered a 71-66 lead late with MJ Raymundo’s clutch jumper pulling the Generals even at 72 with three seconds left in regulation to send the game into OT after Cuenco missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer.
Wilmar Oftana had 12 points for the Generals, who absorbed their fourth loss in six games.