Cardinals back in PCCL fold
Thursday, 12 November 2009 1,518 Views / 28 Comments
THE winning streak continues for the Mapúa Institute of Technology.
After closing out their NCAA Season 85 campaign with five-straight victories, the Mapúa Cardinals continued their winning ways and finished undefeated in Group B of the North/Central Luzon-Metro Manila Zonals in the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League thanks to a win against the La Consolacion College Blue Royals on their home court last November 12, 2009.
With the win, Cardinals booked a return trip to the PCCL under rookie head coach, Chito Victolero.
Victolero wasn’t even focusing on the PCCL until the end of the NCAA Season.
“Yung after ng last game namin against St. Benilde, napagusapan namin na we have a chance sa PCCL. Meron kaming chance na mag-number six. And then, magandang training ito para sa amin, para doon sa next season na pinaghahandaan namin because yun nga yung kulang sa exposure nung last season. Medyo taranta kami. Sa last two munites medyo naghehesitate pa rin lahat, nagdadalawang isip. Now, ito yung magandang training para sa amin para yung confidence namin, ng bawat isa sa amin, individually and as a team tumaas,” said the former collegiate star who was part of the last Mapúa team that won an NCAA Championship in 1991.
Allan Mangahas led the way for the Intramuros based squad with 23 points. He put on a shooting exhibition in the opening quarter, stroking four three-point shots. The 2008 NCAA Rookie of the year finished with five three-point baskets while Erwin Cornejo added three three-point shots. Big man Jason Pascual also joined the shooting party in the fourth quarter, scoring all his 12 points from beyond the arc.
Mapúa’s biggest lead was 23 points at 78-55 with only 1:29 left in regulation. They breezed through their opponents easily but not after a tight first quarter where the Blue Royals remained in striking distance. Vocal point guard Glenn Gadelina scored 21 points for the home team.
Victolero knows that his team can play at a high level but they still have some adjustments to make entering the Sweet 16.
“Tingin ko, aayusin pa namin yung start namin kasi ngayon bad start kami. Pero for the past two games medyo maganda yung start namin. Pero ngayon, siguro medyo confident sila na akala nila ganun-ganun lang yung kalaban.”
In the first game, the Central Colleges of the Philippines Bobcats upset reigning and back-to-back Universities and Colleges Athletic Association champion Universal College Dragons, 77-70. Joseph Ubalde scored 27 points for the Aurora quintet in the win.
Mapúa ended the zonal leg with a 3-0 mark, while CCP, UC and La Consolacion wound up with 1-2 slates.
The scores:
First game
CCP 77 – Ubalde 27, Pangilinan 17, Matias 12, Corpuz 10, Bunye 9, Rios 2, Carreon 0, Benabese 0, Guevarra 0, Lising 0.
Universal College 70 – Matugas 18, Ompad 14, Montilla 10, Ferreria 7, Torres 3, Derder 3, Castillo 2, Joseph 2, Dimas 2, Jasmin 2.
Quarter scores: 21-20, 34-42, 55-55, 77-70.
Second Game
Mapua 78 – Mangahas 23, Cornejo 16, Pascual 12, Sarangay 8, Acosta 6, Cinco 4, Ranises 3, Paraala 3, Guillermo 2.
La Consolacion 58 РGadelina 21, Camacho 14, Quintal 10, Pesta̱o 5, Mabigat 4, Derpo 2, Jaganap 2.
Quarter scores: 27-25, 47-32, 61-39, 78-58.
(5 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5)
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