Jamal Diaz's Two Daggers Break Mapua's Three-Game Losing Skid

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Jamal Diaz saved his biggest plays for last. His two late three-pointers lifted Mapua University past defending champion San Beda University, 55-54, and ended the Cardinals’ three-game skid in NCAA Season 102.

Mapua trailed 54-49 with 1:25 left in the Group A game. Diaz, who finished with eight points, then scored all six of the Cardinals’ remaining points to complete the comeback.

Jamal Diaz scored all six of Mapua's points in the final 1:25, including two late three-pointers. [photo credit: Peter Baltazar] — Jamal Diaz scored all six of Mapua’s points in the final 1:25, including two late three-pointers. [photo credit: Peter Baltazar]

Diaz Goes Cold-Blooded as Mapua Stuns San Beda

San Beda still led 54-49 with 1:25 to play, and Mapua was staring at a fourth straight loss. Diaz then drained a triple with 54 seconds left, while San Beda’s Sean Torculas missed a two-point jumper in that stretch.

With 12 seconds remaining, Diaz hit another three-pointer. That put Mapua ahead, 55-54, and capped a run of six straight points.

The Cardinals then clamped down on defense and allowed San Beda no points in the closing seconds. The Red Lions could not find an answer, and Mapua held on for the one-point win.

Cuenco, Calimag Lead the Scoring in Mapua’s Breakthrough Win

Marc Cuenco paced Mapua with 19 points. Diaz finished with eight points, six of them on his two late triples, along with five rebounds.

Richi Calimag led San Beda with 18 points, and Lawrence Hawkins added 13 points and eight rebounds. The defending champions went scoreless over the final 85 seconds.

For Mapua, the result was a breakthrough after three straight defeats. The Cardinals turned a five-point deficit into a one-point victory in the last minute and a half.