THE now-rolling Mapua Cardinals seek to continue with their turnaround in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 when they play the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 4 p.m. in league action today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
After opening their campaign with five straight losses, the Cardinals (6-6) have turned things around, winning five of six games since, including their last three, to steadily climb from the back of the pack to the middle.
Mapua is currently tied for joint fifth place with the College of Saint Benilde Blazers (6-6), very much in the thick of the fight for a spot in the Final Four.
The latest of the victories of the Cardinals came on Tuesday over season hosts Arellano Chiefs, 93-67.
It was a dominant performance by Mapua, which steadily lorded it over Arellano as the game progressed on its way to the big win.
Justin Serrano led six Cardinals in double figures with 15 points to go along with eight rebounds.
Cyril Gonzales added 14 points and Joaqui Garcia 12.
Noah Lugo, Warren Bonifacio and Laurenz Victoria, meanwhile, finished with 11, 11 and 10 points, respectively for Mapua.
“The players really worked hard on both ends to get this win. Credit to them,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara after their latest win.
Meanwhile, out to stop the Cardinals is JRU (4-8).
The Bombers are coming off a loss at the hands of defending champions San Beda Red Lions, 65-47, on Sept. 19.
Agem Miranda and John Amores are leading the way for JRU with averages of 14.3 and 10.7 points, respectively.
Also playing today at 2 p.m. are the San Beda (13-0) and the Perpetual Help Altas (3-8). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
