Mapua Cardinals shoot for second win in a row
GOT back on the winning track in their last outing, the Mapua Cardinals go for their second consecutive win in Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as they take on the Perpetual Help Altas today at 4 p.m. at the Mapua Gym.
Another serving of the “NCAA on Tour,” the Atoy Co-coached Cardinals look to build on their 78-75 victory in their previous game over the Letran Knights and keep in step with the early league-leaders.
In its game against Letran, Mapua (11) came from behind to stun the Knights, highlighted by the game-winning threepointer by veteran guard Andoy Estrella in the dying seconds of the contest.
Found himself isolated against Letran’s Jeo Ambohot, the veteran playmaker Estrella pulled up from a step-back move and hit the go-ahead three- pointer with five seconds remaining.
The Knights tried to send the game into overtime but the heave of Letran’s Rey Nambatac from beyond the arc failed to hit the mark as they slumped to the loss.
The win was a bounce back for the Cardinals after losing in their season debut on opening day to the Arellano Chiefs.
“I just shot the ball with confidence and good thing it went in. I’m happy that we were able to pull off the win,” said Estrella after their cardiac victory.
Estrella topscored for Mapua with 18 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists.
He was backstopped by JB Raflores and Leo Gabo, who each scored 12 points
Meanwhile, out to wiggle out of a two-game losing streak in today’s game is Perpetual Help (0-2).
Actually the Altas won their season opener over the College of St. Benilde, 69-65, but saw it forfeited after they played wearing the wrong shade of uniform. They have since appealed the NCAA ruling.
In their last game, Perpetual Help was mastered by the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 68-54, to fall to its second loss in as many games.
GJ Ylagan and Prince Eze led the Altas with 12 points apiece in the lost to JRU.
The NCAA on Tour is one of the notable changes this season. It will see the league hold games in the premises of member schools. The NCAA said the reason behind it is to bring the league closer to its various stakeholders, particularly the students, and to further enhance interest in the league among them.
In holding the games on the road, the NCAA said it has made sure that the venues are at par with tournament standards and security is beefed up to guard the safety of the participants and spectators.
Despite the struggling start they are having, the Altas remain upbeat that they can turn things around as the tournament progresses.
“It’s a long process and we will try to be patient with it and stay positive as much as we can,” said Perpetual Help team spokesman Jimwell Gican.