MANILA — Defending champion Mapua University and three-time titleholder Colegio de San Juan de Letran kept their championship hopes alive after pulling off crucial victories to force do-or-die matches in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Playtime FilOil Center in San Juan.
Mapua stayed on track for a back-to-back crown after dismantling the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 73-58, overcoming Benilde’s twice-to-beat cushion to drag their series into a winner-take-all clash.
Cyril Gonzales sparked the Cardinals with 17 points, while JC Recto and Marc Cuenco added 11 and 10, respectively, easing the load as ace guard Clint Escamis was held to just two points. Mapua seized control early, racing to a 24-13 first-quarter lead and maintaining a 39-27 advantage at the half.
The Blazers fought back and trimmed the gap to 56-51 entering the payoff period, but Mapua answered with a decisive flurry — back-to-back triples from Marc Igliane and Recto, followed by two key baskets from Gonzales — to shut the door on the Benilde comeback.
Shawn Umali and Ian Torres led the Blazers with 10 points apiece.
In the other quarterfinals pairing, Letran also survived elimination after outlasting the Arellano University Chiefs, 87-78, to likewise force a knockout match.
Johnsherick Estrada powered the Knights with 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Kevin Estrada fired a career-high 20 points on top of nine rebounds and three blocks. Rookie guard Jonathan Manalili nearly tallied a double-double with 15 points and nine assists, and Deo Cuajao chipped in 11 off the bench.
Arellano, which also held a twice-to-beat advantage, leaned on T-Mc Ongotan’s all-around effort of 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Basti Valencia scored 11, while Charles Libang and Anjord Cabotaje added 10 each.
The Mapua-Benilde and Letran-Arellano knockout matches are scheduled on Friday at the same venue, with the winners securing seats in the semifinals./PN
