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| Cyrus Cuenco finished the job for Mapua after Yam Concepcion hit a go-ahead three. NCAA |
MANILA--Yam Concepcion, probably among the unlikely sources of a clutch three, hit one that mattered the most for Mapua as it sneaked out a 77-72 overtime win against San Sebastian in a Group A play in the NCAA men's basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City.
Entering the game only 2-for-8 from long range, Concepcion saved the Cardinals' play as he hit a right corner three with 24.1 seconds left that broke a 72-all tie after Earl Sapasap recovered the ball in time when he was nearly stripped of it and dished out the assist.
Jose Lumanag, who was having a career game, tried to tie the game anew, but he badly missed a step-back three, and Gabriel Napacena also muffed his putback.
Cyrus Cuenco, who grabbed the rebound after the Napacena miss, iced the game with two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining.
Cuenco finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals to lead Mapua, which moved up to 7-5, one game behind Perpetual Help for the top seed in Group A.
Clint Escamis added 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Lumanag went 6-for-6 from inside the arc for most of his 16 points with two rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block for San Sebastian, which finished the classification phase at 3-10.
The team will need to beat either Lyceum or Arellano in a play-in game next Tuesday to get the last spot in the quarterfinals for Group A.
The scores:
MAPÚA 77 – Cuenco 15, Escamis 14, Sapasap 11, Concepcion 8, Lazarte 7, Igliane 6, Recto 5, Delos Reyes 5, Nitura 3, Gonzales 3, Callangan 0, Reyes 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 72 – Lumanag 16, Dela Rama 14, Gabat 11, Castor 9, Ricio 7, Nepacena 6, Cuajao 6, Segovia 3, Dimaunahan 0
Quarterscores: 23-13, 44-28, 52-47, 65-65, 77-72
