NCAA: Mapua holds off EAC in Q4 for share of 2nd spot

Jopet Soriano led Mapua's stinging defense on EAC with four blocks. NCAA

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Mapua turned things around in the final canto to clip Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-69, in their NCAA men's basketball clash on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Down for most of the first three quarters, the Cardinals intensified their defense on the Generals in the fourth, holding them to just 11 points to take the win.

Jopet Soriano led Mapua, now tied with Jose Rizal University for second place at 4-1, with 15 points, six rebounds, one assist, and four blocks, while Paolo Hernandez and Ferdie Asuncion each added 11 markers.

Nat Cosejo put up 23 points and four rebounds off the bench to lead EAC, which fell to its second straight loss after a 2-0 start.

The scores:

Mapua 73-Soriano 15, Hernandez 11, Asuncion 11, Escamis 10, Recto 10, Bonifacio 6, Rosillo 4, Cuenco 4, Fornis 2, Bancale 0, Igliane 0

EAC 69-Cosejo 23, Gurtiza 10, Maguliano 10, Robin 7, Tolentino 7, Angeles 6, Ochavo 4, Quinal 2, Luciano 0, Cosa 0, Umpad 0, Doria 0, Balowa 0, Bacud 0

Quarterscores: 15-20; 35-40; 55-58; 73-69

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