Eriobu shines in Mapua’s gutsy double OT win over San Sebastian

MANILA, Philippines – The Mapua Cardinals mustered enough spunk and energy to outlast San Sebastian in double overtime, 104-99 in the 89th NCAA men's basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan Monday.

Joseph Eriobu led the Cardinals’ charge, scoring a game-high 30 points, including sinking two free throws in the endgame to seal Mapua’s first win of the season. He also hauled down 11 boards to finish with a double-double.

San Sebastian last threatened after a Raffy Gusi putback to cut the lead, 99-102, with 22.3 ticks left.

But Gusi badly missed a potential trying 3-pointer in the next possession, and Eriobu’s clutch free throws followed.

"Ginagawa ko lang po lahat ng gusto ni coach although may mga lapses ako. Ginagawa ko yung best para makabawi. Sobrang thankful ako kay coach sa tiwala niya sakin," said Eriobu, who's taking up Psychology.

"Binago ni coach yung mindset ko na mag-focus sa defense and rebounding at kusa na dumarating yung opensa," he added.

Senior Kenneth Ighalo and Jessie Saitanan also gave impressive double-doubles to backstop Eriobu's heroics, turning in 21 points and 16 rebounds and 15 markers and 17 caroms, respectively.

"Na-experience namin last game yung humabol sa fourth at na-satisty kami doon. Ngayon sinabihan ko ang teammates ko na huwag mag-relax hangga’t hindi namin naririnig yung final buzzer," said Ighalo, the lone graduating student for the Cardinals.

With the game turning into a rout, Mapua unleashed a mammoth 23-2 blast capped by a vicious dunk from Eriobu bridging the third and the fourth quarters to take a 60-59 lead with 8:30 left in regulation.

Both teams figured in a high-scoring and up-tempo affair in the final canto that led to a thrilling finish in regulation.

Ighalo had the chance to win the game in the fourth quarter but made a costly turnover as time expired in the payoff period.

San Sebastian lost a golden opportunity in the first overtime when John Ortuoste missed a jumper and CJ Perez failed to tip the ball in as time expired, extending the game to another period.

"I'm happy. Really, really happy with our win, tapos double overtime pa," said an ecstatic Mapua head coach Atoy Co. "My team is really young and we always start slow but as long as we play within our system, we don't have to be afraid against anybody."

Jovit Dela Cruz and Perez scored 24 points each to lead the Stags in a sorry loss after holding a 20-point lead in the second half multiple times.

San Sebastian had a sterling first half performance in the field, shooting 54 percent, to take 45-31 advantage at the break.

The Stags fell to 1-2 (win-loss).