Mapua’s Clint Escamis celebrating his three-pointer against Arellano University in the fourth quarter of their NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball showdown. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol

MANILA — Mapua University fended off the late comeback attempt of Arellano University to keep its place among the leaders of NCAA Season 100.

The Cardinals improved to 6-2 in the grand old league's men's basketball tournament after they defeated the Braves, 77-71, during their Wednesday afternoon showdown at the San Juan Arena.

Despite only shooting 4/14 from the field, reigning NCAA MVP Clint Escamis posted 15 points, eight assists, five turnovers, and four steals to give the Intramuros-based team a much-needed 12-point lead late in the contest, while young Cardinal Chris Hubilla scored the same amount while also grabbing eight boards.

Marc Cuenco finished with 10 markers, while Yam Concepcion had a seven-point, 10-rebound game in the game that allowed the Randy Alcantara-mentored team to extend their win streak to three.

Facing a 71-59 deficit midway through the final canto after Escamis fired two straight three-pointers, one from the corner and the other from the wing, JL Capulong, Cyril Hernal, and Jerico Camay powered Arellano's 10-to-nothing run to make it a two-point game with still a minute and 25 left in the game.

Marc Igliane, who was erstwhile perfect from the line at two-of-two, split his charities at the 56-second mark, in turn, giving Arellano a window to get within one or tie the game with a three.

Capulong powered his way inside in the Braves' next possession to get within one, 72-71, but that eventually happened to be their last basket of the contest.

Despite forcing a Mapua turnover, the Chico Manabat-coached squad failed to attempt a shot to overtake their opponents as they also committed an error on their end. T-Mc Ongotan was even called with an unsportsmanlike foul after he hit Hubilla while Escamis completed his fastbreak for a 74-71 lead to add to AU's woes.

Mapua’s Chris Hubilla after being hit with an unsportsmanlike foul by Arellano’s T-Mc Ongotan in the fourth quarter of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball showdown. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol

Hubilla went on to split his charities from the unsportsmanlike foul to extend their lead to five, and the reigning Rookie of the Year completely iced the game after going two-of-two to end the game.

On the other hand, Capulong finished with 19 points to lead all scorers and also grabbed six rebounds, while Renzo Abiera contributed 18, but these all went for naught as AU absorbed its sixth defeat in eight games.

THE SCORES:

Mapua 77 – Escamis 15, Hubilla 15, Cuenco 10, Mangubat 9, Concepcion 7, Igliane 6, Fermin 5, Jabonete 4, Bancale 2, Ryan 2, Agemenyi 2

Arellano 71 – Capulong 19, Abiera 18, Camay 11, Ongotan 6, Vinoya 6, Hernal 4, Miller 3, Libang 3, Valencia 1, Geronimo 0, Borromeo 0, Estacio 0, Acop 0, Dela Cruz 0

Quarterscores: 19-19, 41-37, 51-54, 77-71