NEXT MAN CUP: MAPUA BOUNCES BACK, DOWNS UP

Mapua returned to its winning ways as it showed no mercy against a shorthand UP squad with a 109-61 rout to open its campaign in the at the Pinoyliga Next Man cUP on Sunday at the Activate Hoop Arena in Mandaluyong City.

A trio of Cardinals hit double-doubles for Team B coach Nani Epondulan, as Kem Sabsalon led all scorers with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field with 11 rebounds in just 19 minutes of action.

Andrei Igliane pulled a game-high 16 rebounds to complement his 15 markers, and Ferdinand Asuncion added 10 points and the same number of rebounds.

The Cardinals took advantage of the absence of their opponent’s top players to score their third win in four games, after seeing their two-game win streak start snapped by the St. Benilde Blazers the day before.

The Fighting Maroons were without Ernest Felicilda and Mark Belmonte for the second straight game.

Mapua was dominant the entire 40 minutes, as it led by as much as 52 points to show its might against the second squad of UP.

Paolo Galotera had 17 for UP, which dropped its third straight to fall to 1-3.

The scores: 

MAPUA 109 – Sabsalon 24, Dalisay 21, Igliane 15, Jugo 11, Soriano 11, Asuncion 10, Recto 9, Caballero 8

UP 61 – Galotera 17, Gregorio 10, Vergeire 10, Singson 7, Shah 7, Avinado 6, Tan 4, Mapa 0

Quarter scores: 23-18, 52-34, 81-47, 109-61.