Coach Atoy Co found a lethal combo in Joseph Eriobu and Kenneth Ighalo as the Mapua Cardinals chalked up their first victory under a new coach with a 104-99 double overtime triumph over the San Sebastian College Stags last night in the NCAA at the San Juan Arena.
Eriobu was a solid revelation for the Cardinals, pumping a career-high 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in an impressive overall performance that saw Co praising his team to high heavens.
“Double overtime. Wow! I’m so happy with this win,” said Co, a two-time NCAA MVP, on his first collegiate coaching stint.
“The pressure is really on me to deliver and the victory has somehow eased the pressure,” added the former Crispa star in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Ighalo complemented Eriobu’s surprising figures with 21 points and 16 rebounds that propelled the Cardinals to bounce back from an opening-day defeat against the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers.
“I want to develop this team into a fighting unit. I will work harder because from now on, every team is watching us,” said Co.
Eriobu split his charities in the closing minutes for an eight-point breather. But Raffy Gusi struck with five straight markers that trimmed the deficit down to 99-102.
Mapua had the chance to seal the outcome on the ensuing play but Darrel Magsigay flubbed both freethrows, giving coach Topex Robinson and the Stags one final shot to stretch the games to another overtime.
Gusi found himself covered in the next sequence and was forced to launch a desperation three that hit nothing but air. Eriobu closed scoring with a pair of free throws, to the delight of the Mapua crowd in the stands.
Jovit Dela Cruz paced the Stags with 24 points and 10 rebounds. /Inquirer