Diaz Clutch Triples Power Mapua To First Win, Upsets San Beda 55-54

Rookie guard Jamal Diaz delivered in the clutch, sinking back-to-back three-pointers in the final minute to lift the Mapúa University Cardinals to a dramatic 55-54 victory over defending champions San Beda University Red Lions for their first win in NCAA Season 102 at the Playtime Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Mapúa came out firing early to build a 17-9 advantage at the end of the opening quarter. However, San Beda responded with a punishing 17-2 run in the second period to take a 26-23 halftime lead. The Red Lions carried that momentum into the third quarter, extending their advantage to 36-25 behind the hot hand of RC Calimag.

Down by nine points in the final period, the Cardinals found their spark from long range. Cyrus Cuenco scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to keep Mapúa within striking distance before setting up Diaz’s late-game heroics.

Trailing 54-49 with under a minute remaining, Diaz hit a pull-up three-pointer off a Marc Igliane assist with 52.6 seconds left to trim the deficit to two. Following a defensive stop, Diaz drained another clutch three-pointer over John Bonzalida with 12.4 seconds remaining to push Mapúa ahead, 55-54. 

San Beda’s Jimmy Reyes had one final open look from deep as time expired, but his shot rimmed out.

Diaz, who finished with eight points and five rebounds in 12 minutes of play, spoke on the hard work behind his confidence.

"Lakas lang din ng loob ko na tinira ko 'yun. Pinaghirapan ko 'tong mga 'to kaya pumasok 'yong mga tira ko," Diaz shared.

"Iniisip ko na lang din 'yung dalawang laro namin, 'yung JRU at LPU. Sobrang sakit ng pagkatalo namin doon at gustong-gusto namin umangat 'yung kumpyansa namin kaya naglakas loob lang din ako tumira."

Cuenco paced the Cardinals (1-3) with 19 points, while Yam Concepcion added four points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Mapúa held San Beda to just 26.2 percent shooting from the field.

Calimag led the Red Lions (2-2) with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Lawrence Hawkins and Sean Torculas added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The Scores:

MAPÚA – Cuenco 19, Diaz 8, Razon 7, Dones 5, Concepcion 4, M. Nitura 4, Igliane 4, L. Nitura 2, Liwanag 2, Reyes 0, Mendoza 0.

SAN BEDA – Calimag 18, Hawkins 13, Torculas 10, Reyes 5, Lina 4, Puno 3, Marcelo 1, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Jamora 0, Ugaddan 0, Songcuya 0, Sarigumba 0.

Photo Credits: NCAA Philippines Media