Mapua ousts Emilio Aguinaldo (6:21 p.m.)

MANILA -- The Mapua Cardinals showed the exit door to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in the 86th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Friday at the Arena in San Juan.

Powered by Erwin Cornejo and Allan Mangahas, Mapua nipped the struggling EAC squad, 74-65, and bolstered their Final Four bid after improving with a 7-4 (win-loss) record.

Trailing by nine in the opening quarter, Mapua made a 25-6 blitz in the second quarter to overpower EAC, stretching their dominance in the third canto and never looked back.

“I’m glad that the players stepped up in the second quarter as we held them (EAC) to just six points. This is a good win for us in time for our game against San Beda next Wednesday,” said coach Chito Victolero.

Cornejo finished with 15 points while Mangahas and Terre Guillermo added 12 and nine markers, respectively, for the Cardinals.

The Generals ended their Final Four campaign with a 2-10 slate, joining winless Perpetual Help as early casualties in the nine-member tournament. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)