by Kevin Estrada 

Mapúa had to go through the proverbial fifth quarter to open their title defense in a cardiac fashion, outlasting Intramuros rivals Lyceum in a nail-biting 90-89 thriller to kick off the 101st Season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Araneta Coliseum this Wednesday afternoon.

The Cardinals, who are hosting the new season as well, extracted more than just their championship poise to nip the Pirates in a down-the-wire contest, with the forward combo of senior JC Recto and freshman Earl Sapasap leading the charge.

Both Recto and Sapasap scored 16 points apiece, with fellow veterans stepped up immensely while under duress for most of the game, as they even trailed by 10 at the half.

Cyrus Cuenco then hit for 14, with Yam Concepcion adding 13 and Cyril Gonzales pitched in with eleven markers as senior guard and skipper Clint Escamis, who fouled out with 3:25 left in the first overtime.

However, Mapúa banked on their experience to eventually take a much needed win, with Cuenco scored the decisive free throw with 6.1 seconds remaining in the second extension.

For Cardinals’ lead assistant JR Carlos, it was a much-needed experience for them considering with the new format, in which every game counts in the tournament.

“Magandang experience yung double overtime,” he said. “Kasi from dun, nakita mo yung character ng team until the end.”

Renz Villegas had a game-high 23 points for the Pirates in a valiant effort.

The scores:

MAPÚA 90 – Recto 16, Sapasap 16, Cuenco 14, Concepcion 13, Gonzales 11, Escamis 8, Igliane 8, Ryan 2, Gulapa 2, Nitura 0, Lazarte 0, Delos Reyes 0, Reyes 0, Abdulla 0

LYCEUM 89 – Villegas 23, Versoza 14, Daileg 13, Barba 8, Pallingayan 7, Gordon 5, Aurige 5, Aviles 5, Matienzo 4, Moralejo 3, Montaño 2, Peñafiel 0

Quarter scores: 19-21, 34-44, 63-55, 74-74 (reg.), 80-80 (OT), 90-89 (2OT)

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