Cardinals swoop down on Titans, claim Fr. Martin Cup title

MANILA, Philippines – The Mapua Cardinals struck hard from the perimeter and fended off the Enderun College Titans, 92-82, and snared the senior division crown of the 12th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Fil-American cager Stephen Que and transferee Tura de la Rosa scored key baskets down the stretch, and as they contributed big time to the Cardinals’ efforts to claim their first title in this tournament which is supported by Bauerfeind supports and orthoses, and medical compression stockings, and Wang’s Basketball.

Que, a journeyman from San Diego, California, shot a game-high 27 points for the Cardinals, who broke off a 58-all deadlock in the last three minutes of the third period.

De la Rosa, a prized find from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, banged in 21 points, including one of two crucial triples that allowed the Cardinals to move away for the game’s last deadlock.

His jumper and triple shattered a 58-all tie in the remaining 2:58, and this allowed the Cards to take a five-point advantage, 63-58.

They widened their edge further after JP Nieles unloaded another rtrey with 1:47 to go.

Jordan Rios made 24 points for the Titans, but he was held to just two in the fourth, just as the Cards stepped up their efforts to contain Enderun’s prolific shooters with their zone defense.

Que drilled in a triple, and Kenneth Magboo scored on a putback in the remaining 7:14, allowing the Cardinals to  keep a nine-point lead.

Mark Brana fired 15 points and Magboo hit 10, including a putback and a layup with 5:07 left which handed Mapua an 11-point edge, 82-71.

Point guard Andretti Stevens was scoreless all throughout, but his leadership role in the game still earned him the Joey Lim Memorial MVP trophy.

“We were able to contain their shooters and zone defense was effect. We are happy with our first title in the tournament,” said Cardinals coach Randy Alcantara.

Meanwhile, the junior division semifinals get going on Nov. 4, Tuesday, with Arellano University facing National University, and Adamson University taking on Xavier School.