NCAA: Cuenco’s career-high powers Mapua over EAC in overtime

Mapua University gunner Marc Cuenco against Emilio Aguinaldo College in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Marc Cuenco found his touch from long range as Mapua University outlasted Emilio Aguinaldo College in overtime, 89-84, in NCAA Season 102 on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

The veteran guard tallied a career-best 28 points on seven three-pointers as the Cardinals zoomed to nine straight points in the extension after squandering a 72-68 lead in the final seconds of the fourth period.

“May times na parang nawawala kami sa game plan, so sinabi lang namin sa isa’t isa na bumalik dapat kami,” said Cuenco, who fired seven points in overtime.

Ivan Lazarte also impressed with a 24-point, 10-rebound outing, while Yam Concepcion notched seven points, 13 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal for Mapua, which has now won three straight after opening the year winless in their first three outings.

On the other hand, EJ Castillo led EAC with 19 points, while Wilmar Oftana added 12, but they could not sustain their momentum as the Generals went scoreless in the first three minutes of overtime.

The Generals had another chance to inch closer in the final nine seconds as they cut their deficit to three, 84-87, but Russel Liwanag’s lay-in four seconds later sealed EAC’s fourth loss in six games.

Mapua 89 — Cuenco 28, Lazarte 24, Diaz 8, Concepcion 7, Bernabe 7, Liwanag 6, Igliane 4, Reyes 4, Dones 1, Nitura 0, Razon 0.

EAC 84 — Castillo 19, Oftana 12, Bagay 11, Ochavo 10, Shanoda 9, H. Raymundo 9, M. Raymundo 6, Nunag 5, Coronel 2, Sealey 1, Bonus 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 37-36, 53-54, 72-72, 89-84.