Bryan Lacap turned in an all-around performance in the last quarter of the game to help the Cardinals secure their first win for the season and to make sure that Adrian Nacum’s 20 points in the first half won’t go to waste.

The Generals led the majority of the game, as Kriss Gurtiza scored 21 points and four rebounds added with Allen Liwag’s 16 points and eight boards, and Marwin Taywan got 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds building a big lead for the squad.

The Generals’ seven-point lead during the third quarter forced Mapua coach Randy Alcantara to call for time, with 5:44 time left in the frame.

From there, the Cardinals managed to steal the lead heading into the fourth frame getting the advantage off a Warren Bonifacio jumper 1:23 left in the game. Lacap then pushed the 4-point lead, 68-64, plus the bonus free-throw.

Cardinals’ sealed the victory with a game-sealing assist of Bonifacio in the last 37.2 seconds and then Jeric Pido with just three seconds in the clock.

Mapua’s Arvin Gamboa added eight points, while Bonifacio had seven points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.

The Scores:

MAPUA 73 – Nocum 20, Lacap 14, Gamboa 8, Bonifacio 7, Agustin 7, Pido 5, Hernandez 5, Sual 5, Asuncion 1, Garcia 1, Mercado 0, Soriano 0, Udal 0.

EAC 67 – Gurtiza 21, Liwag 16, Taywan 13, Robin 9, Cadua 3, Fuentes 3, Umpad 2, Ad. Doria 0, Luciano 0, An. Doria 0, Cosa 0, Bunyi 0, Maguliano 0.

Quarters: 21-16, 32-32, 47-51, 73-67.