Mapua overcomes Perpetual in overtime to claim fifth straight victory
Cuenco supplied eight points in the extra period, helping the Cardinals reach a 5-3 record in NCAA Season 102.
Mapua University recovered from a 10-point deficit to beat the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA 65-60 in an overtime contest at San Juan’s Filoil Centre on 16 October 2026. The result gave Mapua five consecutive victories in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball.
Mapua captain Cuenco opened the additional period with a three-pointer and supplied eight of his team’s 11 overtime points. Another three-pointer from him with two minutes remaining stretched a 60-58 advantage, before Ivan Lazarte added a basket inside the final minute.
Perpetual had led 45-39 after three quarters and widened the gap to 10 early in the fourth. Jamal Diaz hit two three-pointers either side of a Rey Maglupay triple, with Diaz’s second starting a 12-0 surge by Mapua.
That rally put the Cardinals ahead 54-52 with 1:57 remaining. Mark Gojo Cruz then drew Perpetual level, and missed opportunities at both ends left the teams needing overtime.
Cuenco recorded 17 points and eight rebounds, plus two assists and a steal. Mapua also received 14 points each from Yam Concepcion and Marcus Nitura. For Perpetual, LA Casinillo contributed 17 points alongside six rebounds and three assists, while Gojo Cruz had 10 points. The ALTAs’ fifth successive defeat left them at 2-6.
