Lions roar; Cards up

Allwell Oraeme Photo by Tristan Rafael Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Relentless right from the start, San Beda put up another awesome display of firepower in a 108-80 clobbering of Emilio Aguinaldo College Thursday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions welcomed Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer back into the lineup but it was Art dela Cruz who sparkled anew with 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Red Lions grabbed the solo lead with their second straight victory.

Adeogun returned from a hamstring injury and finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Amer, still feeling the effects of an injured shoulder, played 12 minutes and made a triple while issuing three assists.

In the second game, Mapua got its act together in the second half to pip San Sebastian, 88-86.

Josan Nimes scattered 20 points, eight coming in the fourth period, while CJ Isit picked up 14 points, including two free throws that gave the Cardinals the lead, 87-86, with 21 seconds left.

But it was the defense of Andretti Stevens at the backcourt and Allwell Oraeme inside the paint that keyed Mapua’s fightback from a double-digit deficit in the final period.

The 19-year-old Oraeme, a 6-foot-9 Nigerian center, had 15 points, 22 rebounds and five blocks, the last two on potential game-winning shots in the last 15 seconds.

Darell Menina split his free throws with six seconds left, then stole off Jamil Ortuoste to seal the victory for the Cardinals.

“The first win is always the hardest to get, so the pressure is off our shoulders now,” said Nimes who also issued six assists.

It took the Cardinals seven games before notching their first victory last season.

“We talked about just getting better every game, but one good thing for us is the return of Ola and Baser,” said Lions coach Jamike Jarin.

Meanwhile, Letran announced the appointment of boxing star and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao as team manager of the Knights, who face the Jose Rizal University Bombers today.

The scores:

First Game

SAN BEDA 108—Dela Cruz 22, Soberano 12, Adeogun 12, Sara 11, Cabanag 10, Tongco 10, Tankoua 9, Solera 9, Reyes 6, Amer 3, Koga 2, Sedillo 2, Bonsubre 0, Presbitero 0.

EAC 80—Munsayac 20, Mbang 13, Mejos 16, Bonleon 6, Mallari 5, Diego 4, Hamadou 4, Pascua 3, Pascual 2, Serrano 0, General 0, Estacio 0.

Quarters: 25-16, 58-37, 88-57, 108-80

Second Game

MAPUA 88—Nimes 20, Brana 18, Oraeme 15, Isit 14, Que 7, Aguirre 7, Menina 4, Stevens 2, Villasenor 1, Biteng 0, Serrano 0, Dela Rosa 0, Raflores 0.

SAN SEBASTIAN 86—Ortuoste 20, Calisaan 19, Costelo 16, Guinto 13, Fabian 13, Santos 4, Sibal 0, Pretta 0, Bulanadi 0, Vera 0, David 0, Capobres 0, Mercado 0.

Quarters: 25-29, 41-50, 65-67, 88-86