MANILA, Philippines -- Mapua University snapped its 3-game skid and got back at Lyceum of the Philippines University, 71-68, in the preview of the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament play-in encounter at the PhilSports Arena Monday.
Kyle Timbol stepped up for the Cyrus Cuenco-less Cardinals as he fired six triples enroute to a 20-point outing laced with three boards, as they avenged their first round defeat to the Pirates.
Timbol almost gave Lyceum a chance to send the game to overtime, though, having missed two insurance free throws in the last four seconds.
Jasper Matienzo, though, turned the ball over as Jamal Diaz stole the ball to seal the win for Mapua which improved to 7-6 for fourth place in Group A.
The Cardinals hold a twice-to-beat incentive in their play-in encounter against the Pirates, who finished the eliminations with four straight losses for a 4-9 record and fifth place in the same group.
