Defending champion Mapua University demolished San Sebastian College, 70-49, Sunday in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

Ivan Lazarte led the Cardinals with 14 points to enable them to occupy second spot in Group A with a 3-1 win-loss card.

Despite star guard Clint Escamis scoring just six points against the Stags, Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said they have to make an effort in making the extra pass. 

“The loss from our last game really stung. I told them we have to work if we want to bounce back,” Alcantara said.

“The good thing in this game is that we would always look for the open man,” he added.

Lazarte’s triple with six seconds remaining in the second quarter capped a 10-1 run for Mapua as it erected a 38-28 lead at halftime.

A layup by Drex delos Reyes with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter gave the Cardinals the biggest lead of the game at 21 points and pegged the final count.

Earl Sapasap was the only other Cardinal to reach double digits with 11 points while grabbing seven rebounds and three assists. 

Ian Cuajao led San Sebastian with 14 points as they fell to a 1-3 slate.

Earlier, Raffy Celis played his best game for College of Saint Benilde as he dropped 20 points on their 73-65 victory over Jose Rizal University (JRU). 

The 6-foot-3 Celis went 9-of-14 from the field and even tallied five rebounds, four steals and two assists as the Blazers topped Group B with 3-1 win-loss record.

The former Ateneo de Manila University player said he needed to step up his game as reigning Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag remains sidelined due to dengue. 

It was the second straight game Liwag did not play for Saint Benilde.

“Our team is still lacking some teammates. I need to step up because JRU is a tough team,” Celis said.