DLSU, Mapua reach quarterfinals; Archers avenge 2009 PCCL loss

LA SALLE avenged its Sweet 16 loss to Letran last season as the Archers eliminated the Knights, 70-56, yesterday to reach the quarterfinals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan. 

The Archers rode on Sam Marata’s hot shooting in the first half to build an early double-digit lead that proved enough when the Knights came alive in the third quarter. 

Filling the scoring void in the absence of Joshua Webb, who is on leave, Marata buried 14 of his 17 points in the first half where the Archers built a 20-point bubble en route to a quarterfinal duel with the winner of the San Beda-University of the East clash. 

Mapua, drawing a breakout performance from Mike Parala, overpowered short-handed National U, 74-61, to also reach the quarterfinals. 

The 6-foot-5 Parala, who averaged just three points in the last NCAA season, shot 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting and grabbed six rebounds, but his performance was marred by a moment of madness with a minute left when he punched Nigerian center Emmanuel Mbe twice. 

Since his infraction is not covered by PCCL rules, Parala will not be suspended in the quarterfinals, where the Cardinals will meet either UAAP champion Ateneo or Lyceum. 

The scores: 
First Game 
MAPUA 74—Parala 22, Pascual 13, Cornejo 10, Guillermo 9, Mangahas 8, Acosta 6, Ranises 3, Banal 2, Sarangay 1, Cabrera 0, Layug 0, Maniego 0, Ighalo 0. 
NU 61—Javillionar 19, Ignacio 13, Mbe 7, Ponferrada 6, Ludovice 5, Terso 4, Eriobu 3, Singh 2, Magat 2. 
Quarters: 18-15, 36-24, 58-44, 74-61 
Second Game 
LA SALLE 70—Marata 17, Tampus 10, Vosotros 9, Mendoza 8, Paredes 6, Dela Paz 5, Andrada 4, Ferdinand 4, Villanueva 4, Elorde 3, Herrera 0, Reyes 0, Atkins 0. 
LETRAN 56—Ke. Alas 16, Belencion 12, Cortes 7, Taplah 6, Kr. Alas 6, Pantin 3, Almazan 3, Belorio 2, Dysam 1, Rodil 0, Alejandro 0, Espiritu 0. 
Quarters: 24-11, 42-25, 53-41, 70-56