Mapua bags finals seat

JOSAN Nimes made sure his efforts won’t go for naught as the 2011 NCAA Season Rookie of the Year led the Mapua Institute of Technology in clinching the first finals slot after beating the Malaysia Men’s National team, 67-56 in the 2015 Mayor’s Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament at the University of San Carlos Gym last night.

Mapua will play the winner of the University of San Carlos Warrior-University of Cebu Webmasters match, which was played at press time.

Nimes fired the gamehigh 24 points including nine in the third period that prevented the Malaysians from getting the momentum.

Unfortunately for the Southeast Asian Gamesbound Malaysia, its outside shooting that helped it conquer the Cardinals last Saturday was not present and designated shooter Tian Yuan Kuek was 0-of-8 from the three point area. He was eventually held scoreless in the game.

Chee Kuen Ma topscored for Malaysia with 22 points and Wei Hong Choo added with 13.

Last Sunday, the University of San Carlos Warriors leaned on their newfound strength to demolish the Malaysia Men’s National team, 99-81, at the close of the elimination round of the 2015 Mayor’s Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Talisay City Sports and Cultural Center, Sunday night.

USC’s win came at the heels of Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals emphatic 98-84 win over the University of Cebu Webmasters.

Mapua and USC finished the elimination round with 2-1 win-loss records but by virtue of the Cards’s 77-55 win over the Warriors last Friday, the NCAA squad got the no.1 spot and got to play Malaysia in the semifinal round.

UC and Malaysia ended with 1-2 win-loss slates but the Webmasters got the third place because of their 94-82 win over the Malaysians last Friday. UC played USC for the second finals slot last night.