MANILA — Mapua showcased a stellar performance in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball semifinals, clinching a spot in the finals by defeating the College of St. Benilde, 78-67, at the MOA Arena on Tuesday.

Led by the impressive partnership of Paolo Hernandez and Clint Escamis, who have been best friends since their Mapua high school days, the Cardinals dominated the fourth quarter.

The duo combined for 16 of the team’s 22 fourth-quarter points, securing a coveted ticket to San Beda dominance best-of-three finals, scheduled for either Sunday or Monday.

Hernandez led the scoring with 22 points, while Escamis, set to be crowned MVP this season, contributed 21 crucial points.

The Cardinals’ solid defense held CSB’s Miguel Oczon to just three points in the final period, a significant factor in their victory.

Mapua’s head coach, Randy Alcantara, acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Hernandez-Escamis pair, stating, “With the help of these two veterans, nagawa namin ito (we did it).” The coach emphasized the importance of their defense against Oczon in the fourth quarter.

This victory marks Mapua’s second finals appearance in the last three seasons and presents an opportunity to end a 32-year title drought, dating back to their back-to-back championships in 1990 and 1991.

Coach Alcantara, a key player in Mapua’s previous era of glory, is now on the verge of achieving a trifecta of triumphs, aiming to add a senior title as a coach to his four championships—two as a player and two as a Mapua high school coach.

Paolo Hernandez expressed the team’s determination, saying, “With Clint and Boni (skipper Warren Bonifacio), we’ll do our best makuha this season.” Hernandez, along with Escamis and Bonifacio, was part of Alcantara’s two NCAA high school champion squads.

On the other side of the semifinal showdown, San Beda displayed dominance over Lyceum of the Philippines, securing an 89-68 victory.

Jacob Cortez played a pivotal role with a career-high 28 points, forcing a deciding game for the right to face Mapua in the best-of-three finals.

San Beda’s mentor, Yuri Escueta, emphasized their focus on survival, stating, “Focused lang kami on this game (We were focused on this game).”

The do-or-die game is scheduled to take place at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

      The scores:

      First Game

      Mapua (78) – Hernandez 22, Escamis 21, Cuenco 10, Bonifacio 9, Soriano 6, Rodillo 4, Recto 3, Asuncion 3, Igliane 0, Fornis 0, Dalisay 0.

      Benilde (67) – Oczon 17, Corteza 14, Carlos 10, Gozum 9, Sangco 5, Mara 5, Turco 3, Arciaga 2, Marcos 2, Nayve 0, Cajucom 0, Marasigan 0, Davis 0.

      Quarterscores: 14-18; 34-37; 56-55; 78-67

      Second Game

      San Beda (89);- Cortez 28, Andrada 12, Gonzales 12, Payosing 9, Puno 7, Visser 6, Tagle 6, Jopia 6, Alfaro 2, Cuntapay 1, Tagala 0, Torres 0.

      LPU (68) – Valdez 14, Guadaña 12, Barba 10, Cunanan 9, Umali 8, Villegas 6, Bravo 4, Montaño 3, Omandac 2, Peñafiel 0, Saure 0, Fuentes 0, Versoza 0.

      Quarterscores: 22-16; 52-38; 73-60; 89-68

(Amado Inigo/mnm)