MANILA -- Allan Mangahas, the heir to Fil-Canadian Kelvin dela Pena’s throne at Mapua, is still struggling.

Thankfully, the other players are stepping up.

Drawing firepower from the other sources, Mapua overwhelmed a hapless Angeles University Foundation, 101-63, Friday to post its win in Season 85 at The Arena in San Juan.

Mangahas, who was supposed to pick up the slack left by the versatile dela Pena who is now in the pros, remained looking for his old, lethal rhythm as he managed only seven points in surprisingly few minutes—16 minutes.

But the likes of Mark Acosta, Erwin Cornejo and Jason Pascual, who have assumed starting roles after playing backup last season, stepped up huge for the Intramuros-based school and fired 21, 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Acosta came out most impressive as he drained four of the six triples he unleashed.

His outside forays underscored the Cardinals’ awesome outside shooting as they finished with 11 three-point conversion with Cornejo and Pascual accounting for a pair each.

“It was a win we needed because it put us back on track,” said neophyte Mapua coach Chito Victolero, who took over from Leo Isaac who is now in the PBA.

“I hope this is the start something big for us,” he added.

Victolero, a former Cardinal in the 90s, wasn’t a bit alarmed that Mangahas, to be blunt about, is not playing like Mangahas.

“His leadership is what he needed from him, he also creates plays for our other players,” said Victolero of his energetic guard.

The Cardinals also shackled the Great Danes’ top shooting threats—Aaron Santos and Amerasian Matt Carney.

Santos was completely shut down as he didn’t score a single point after exploding for 29 in an 86-75 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College Monday while Carney was held to only six points after erupting for 24 the last time out.

That was enough to send AUF to its second setback in three starts.