NCAA: Mapua ousts LPU, sets up QF battle vs Letran

Detailed summary

Mapua University eliminated the Lyceum of the Philippines University, 83-68, in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball play-in round on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan to…

Mapua University eliminated the Lyceum of the Philippines University, 83-68, in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball play-in round on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan to advance to the quarterfinals.

With the victory, the Cardinals will face Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the quarterfinals.

The twice-to-beat Cardinals had a strong first half, outscoring the Pirates, 24-14 in the first period before taking a 48-33 lead by halftime, with Ivan Lazarte scoring 21 of Mapua’s output.

The Cardinals then held off the Pirates in the second half despite efforts of Renz Villegas and Simon Penafiel.

Lazarte led the Cardinals with 25 points, while Russel Liwanag had 15 points. Cyrus Cuenco had 13 points, while Jamal Diaz dded 11 points.

The graduating Mclaude Guadaña had 15 points, while fellow senior Renz Villegas had 12 points. Matthew Rubico, meanwhile, had 11 points to cap his first season with the league.

Mapua will face the twice-to-beat Letran in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Arellano Braves advanced to the quarterfinals after dispatching San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 82-77, while the LPU Junior Pirates forced a do-or-die after outlasting the San Beda Red Cubs, 68-67.

Mapua 83 - Lazarte 25, Liwanag 15, Cuenco 13, Diaz 11, Concepcion 9, Ryan 4, M. Nitura 2, L. Nitura 2, Igliane 2, Timbol 0, Mendoza 0, Dones 0, Razon 0.

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