Mapua University added yet another jewel to its title collection after clinching the championship in the 11th Asian University Basketball Championship on Friday at the Lyceum of the Philippines University Gym in Intramuros, Manila.

The Cardinals outlasted the LPU Pirates, 98-92, to complete a sweep of the six-team annual tournament organized by the Asian University Basketball Federation in cooperation with the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) and the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

The Pirates, who finished in a triple tie with Kendai University and Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU), both of Japan, on similar 3-2 cards.

The Pirates, who bowed to Kendai University on Thursday, 75-78 on Thursday, took second place with a higher quotient, followed by Kendai University at third and NSSU at fourth.

Kuala Lumpur Basketball Association of Malaysia (KLBA), led by Filipino coach Nomar Isla, was fifth with a 1-4 record, while Ho Chi Minh City, coached by another Filipino coach in Jojo Castillo, finished dead-last with a 0-5 mark.

Mapua combo guard Noah Lugo was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.  

Lugo had 13 points for Mapua. 

Buth Gamboa led all Cardinals with 25 points, while Cyrene Gonzales and Laurence Victoria added 15 and 13, respectively.

Yancy Remulla led LPU with 21 points.

AUBC Organizing Committee Chairman Dr. Robert Milton Calo and Commissioners Leonardo ‘Ding’ Andres and Bai Cristobal led the awarding of trophies to the winners.PR