Cardinals defuse Heavy Bombers

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua continued to show it’s a legitimate title contender as it floored Jose Rizal University, 88-81, yesterday to jump back to second place in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Cardinals drew strength from a balanced offensive with reigning MVP Clint Escamis spearheading the charge with 19 points, six of which in the fourth quarter to help crush the Bombers’ late resistance.

Lawrence Mangubat, Chris Hubilla, Marc Cuenco and Jeco Bancale chipped in 16, 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively, as the Cardinals zoomed to No. 2 alongside the Letran Knights with identical 5-2 cards.

It was a complete show of force for the Cardinals as they made their move early and built enough cushion to weather whatever storm the Bombers would whip up late.

JRU did fight back from a deficit as big as 23, 42-19, with the Bombers coming to within five, 71-66. But it proved to be the Bombers’ last stand.

The Bombers stumbled to 2-5.

In the other game, King Gurtiza buried a huge triple and a pair of clutch free throws as Emilio Aguinaldo College turned back Lyceum of the Philippines U, 90-88, to forge a tie at sixth with its victim with their similar 3-4 slates.