Justine Serrano struck hard in final period and the Mapua University Cardinals went on to edge the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 86-83, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
Laurenz Victoria led with 16 points, including five points in the last three minutes to help the Cardinals hold their ground and post their fourth win in 12 matches in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
In holding off the the Blazers, the Cardinals already eclipsed their three wins last season as they stayed in pursuit of the last Final Four seat.
Serrano, who had 12 points, shattered a 72-all deadlock with an 8-0 run that he and Victoria erected, scoring the first three baskets with his penetrations for an 80-73 count.
After the Blazers fought back and came to within, 77-80, Victoria was there to keep the Blazers in front by a safer margin, 82-77.
“Nakabawi kami kay Justine nu’ng lumapit sila. Si Laurenz, siya naman talaga, siya ang senior, siya ang in charge,” said Cardinals’ coach Atoy Co.
Justine Gutang had 22 for the Blazers, who, however, still stayed in contention for a Final Four seat for the first time in years with their 7-5 slate.
Perpetual Help leaned on a monster effort by Prince Eze and the return of Edgard Charcos as it dumped Arellano University, 57-45, yesterday to enhance its Final Four bid.
Eze muscled his way to 20 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks while Charcos, back after sitting out a whole month due to a hyperextended knee, had six points, four caroms, four assists and four steals to help lift the Altas to their sixth win against five defeats.
They also exacted revenge on the Chiefs, who beat the Las Pinas-based school, 76-72, in the first round on Aug. 28.
It was also a triumph that pushed Perpetual Help just half a game behind College of St. Benilde at No. 4.
In junior action, Dan Arches scored 23 points, including 10 in the second period to lead the Mapua Red Robins to a 93-87 beating of the defending champion La Salle Greenhills Greenies.
Arches, who subbed for an injured Clint Escamis, hit a triple with Roseller Sarias, and sank two charities during a 7-0 blast, allowing the Red Robins to take charge, 65-54.
The Red Robins, with Jonnel Policarpio making 23, took control of the game and stayed behind the Greenies with their 9-3 slate. P. Atencio
The Greenies, behind Joel Cagulangan with 22 points, remained in contention for the first Final Four slot at 10-2 after the Red Robins snapped their eight-game winning streak.
“We played hard para makabalik. We played defense. The players followed the game plan,” said Red Robins’ coach Randy Alcantara.
Resty Fornis sank three charities in the last 2.1 seconds and this helped the Arellano Braves escape with a 70-66 beating of the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas.
Lars Sunga and Romuel Junsay showed the way with 12 points for the Braves, who improved to 5-6.
The Junior Altas, getting 21 points from Yukihiro Kawamura, are in fifth with their 6-6 slate.
The Scores
First game (jrs)
Mapua (93) – Arches 23, Policarpio 21, Hernandez 13, Escamis 11, Sarias 10, Diaz 7, Mariano 3, Smith 2, Quimado 2, Lazarte 1, Dennison 0, Tagal 0.
CSB-LSGH (87) – Cagulangan 22, David 19, Fornillos 18, Sangco 13, Calimag 9, Valenzuela 3, Cortez 2, Natividad 1, Morales 0, Mosqueda 0, Palencia 0, Lepalam 0, Lao 0.
Quarterscores: 24-32, 51-32, 69-61, 93-87
Second game (jrs)
AU (70) – Junsay 12, Sunga 12, Javier 10, Fermin 9, Fornis 8, Espiritu 8, Recto 4, Templonuevo 3, Domingo 2, Sahali 2, Liangco 0, Nepomuceno 0
UPHSD (66) – Kawamura 21, Galman 19, Galoy 10, Oguinsanya 6, Orgo 5, Barcuma 2, Romilla 2, Nunez 1, Duka 0, Dela Cruz 0, Defante 0.
Quarters: 15-14, 33-35, 52-51, 70-66
Third Game (srs)
MU (86) – Victoria 16, Bonifacio 12, Serrano 12m Lugo 11, Pelayo 10, Aguirre 9, Gamboa 8, Buñag 4, Jabel 2, Biteng 2, Nieles 0.
CSB (83) – Gutang 22, Pasturan 16, Leutcheu 15, Naboa 10, Nayve 10, Haruna 8, Dixon 2, Belgica 0, Velasco 0, Young 0.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 49-35, 63-55, 86-83