By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--No punches thrown this time; just pure Mapua domination.
On Friday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, the Cardinals bludgeoned the EAC Generals, 101-72, in their first NCAA meeting since last year's free-for-all that went down as one of the worst Philippine basketball brawls in history.
Mapua pulled away in the final three quarters to take only its second win in Season 91 while keeping EAC winless for the fifth straight game.
Josan Nimes fired a game-high 18 points for the Cardinals, while C.J. Isit, who was on the receiving end of the John Tayongtong punch that made matters worse last year, added 12.
Allwell Oraeme helped in stopping the Generals' offense with 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Rookie Hamadou Laminou had his best game as a General with 16 points in a game where fellow African player Addoum Mbang did not play.
Box Scores:
Mapua 101-Nimes 18, Que 17, Serrano 16, Biteng 12, Isit 12, Nieles 7, Menina 6, Aguirre 5, Oraeme 4, Villasenor 2, Dela Rosa 2, Layug 0, Raflores 0
EAC 72-Hamadou 16, Munsayac 15, Onwubere 13, Pascua 11, General 8, Mejos 5, Diego 4, Bonleon 0, Estacio 0
Quarterscores: 15-14, 45-33, 72-54, 101-72