NCAA put one over UAAP as newly- crowned ASEAN University champion Mapua University brought down Ateneo de Manila University, 71-43, to assume the solo lead in the Manila Best Tournament basketball championship at Trinity University of Asia gym in Quezon City.

Chris Hubilla, Jeco Bancale, TJ Abdulla and Yam Conception joined hands as the Cardinals took the measure of the Eagles in the 14-team tournament organized by retired PBA referee Joey Calungcaguin.

Hubilla, who was later named as “Best Player of the Game”, came through with 14 points for the Cardinals, who are being handled by assistant coach Yong Garcia in the absence of head coach Randy Alcantara.

Bancale, Abdulla and Conception also contributed well for Mapua, which debuted with a 92-84 win over arch rival Letran College in the opener.

The Cardinals, buoyed by their title romp in the ASEAN tournament in Indonesia, controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish.

Andrei Grabriel Tan paced the Blue Eagles with nine points.

Equally impressive were Arellano University, which edged Olivarez College, 63-62; University of the Philippines, which humbled Our Lady of Fatima University 72-69; and Jose Rizal University, which crushed Asian Institute of Maritime Studies 85-54.

Anjord Cabotaje and Andrei Acop combined for 25 points for the Chiefs of coach Chico Manabat.

Best Player of the Game winner Cabohate had 13 points.

Patrick Panelo finished with 24 points for the Sea Lions of coach Mike Saguiguit.

Later, the Maroons rode on 6-9 Nigerian recruit Francis Nnoruka to roll past the Phoenix and barge into the win column after losing their initial assignment.

Nnoruka, voted as Best “Player of the Game” finished with a double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds.

The Heavy Bombersof coach Louie Gonzalez relied on Mark Barrera (18 points), Joshua Guiab (12 points) and Ivan Panapanan (10points) to secure their second win in three outings.

Mark Nobleza carried the fight for the Blue Sharks with 17 points.

The Manila Best Tournament is sponsored by Philippine Air Lines, Smart Sports, JamReiBiz Watersports, EastPrint Clothing, Jasmine Crib at Malabrigo Batangas, VS & F Catering, Kick on your Feet Shoe and Apparel, Louie’s Buko, I Wellcare, Ezekiel’s Touch Health and Wellness Spa and Black Mamba Energy Drinks.

The tournament is supported by Armstrong Philippines, Fil Nation Select, MS Elite Basketball Saudi Arabia, Youth Basketball Coaches PH, Philippine Amateur Basketball Referees Organization (PABRO) and Samahan Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Former International referee Carlito Camorongan heads the technical committe along with Fernan Dela Cruz. AA

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