Cards nail Martin Cup title over Titans

MANILA, Philippines - The Mapua Cardinals struck hard from the perimeter and fended off the Enderun College Titans, 92-82,  to clinch the senior division crown  of the 12th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the San Beda College-Manila gym.

Fil-American Stephen Que and transferee Tura de la Rosa scored key baskets down the stretch, giving the Cardinals their first title in this tournament 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  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 which allowed the Cardinals to pull away.

His jumper and triple gave the Cards a five-point advantage, 63-58. JP Nieles widened the gap with a trey going into the last 1:47 of the game.

Jordan Rios scored 24 points for the Titans, but he was held to just two in the fourth, 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’s putback gave the Cardinals a nine-point lead.

Mark Brana fired 15 points, and Magboo hit 10, including a putback and a layup with 5:07 left with Mapua way ahead, 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.