SHAQ Alanes (left) of Lyceum gets fouled by San Sebastian’s Ryan Costelo in transition. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
DIMINUTIVE guard Mark Cruz sizzled for 29 points as Letran got back at first round conqueror Emilio Aguinaldo College, 86-76, yesterday to stay in step with San Beda in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The 5-foot-5 Cruz, selected by Purefoods Star in the third round of the PBA Draft last Sunday, struck hardest in the final period, reeling off three straight baskets to take the fight out of the Generals and lead the Knights to their ninth win in 11 games.
It marked the third time this season that Cruz scored at least 29 points, but the diminutive guard stressed that the Knights bouncing back from their shocking loss to San Sebastian last Tuesday was far more important than his scoring burst. In pinning a ninth loss in 11 games on EAC, the Knights also got back at the Generals, who dealt them a 69-83 loss last Aug. 7.
“What’s important for me is we won this game,” said Cruz, who had a season-high 30 points in the 87-89 loss to the Stags. “We have to stay focused and get better in the second round.”
The Red Lions, who are seeking a sixth straight title, also improved to 9-2 after cruising past the shorthanded St. Benilde Blazers, 89-63, while the Lyceum Pirates held off the San Sebastian Stags, 71-67, for their second straight victory, jacking up their record to 3-7.
Art Dela Cruz finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Lions, while Ola Adeogun tallied 12 points in his return from a one-game suspension. Bench production proved key for the Lions as Amiel Soberano, Donald Tankoua and Ranbill Tongco combined for 33 points.
The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 89—Dela Cruz 17, Soberano 12, Adeogun 12, Koga 11, Tongco 11, Tankoua 10, Cabanag 7, Mocon 4, Reyes 3, Bonsubre 2, Sara 0, Sorela 0, Sedillo 0
ST. BENILDE 63—J. Domingo 20, Fajarito 11, Saavedra 10, Young 9, Ongteco 3, Deles 3, Jonson 2, Sta. Maria 2, San Juan 2, Flores 1, Nayve 0, Castor 0, Dixon 0
Quarters: 13-12, 38-31, 62-42, 89-63
Second Game
LYCEUM 71—Ayaay 16, Nguidjol 15, Bulawan 10, Soliman 8, Taladua 8, Alanes 6, Baltazar 5, Mbida 3, Sunga 0, Malabanan 0, Lacastesantos 0, Lugo 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 67—Costelo 17, Ortuoste 12, Calisaan 10, Guinto 8, Fabian 7, David 6, Pretta 3, Sibal 2, Capobres 2, Santos 0, Bulanadi 0
Quarters: 22-9, 37-21, 57-47, 71-67
Third Game
LETRAN 86—Cruz 29, Nambatac 11, Luib 9, Quinto 9, Racal 8, Apreku 7, Sollano 7, Balagasay 6, Balanza 0, Calvo 0, Bernabe 0
EAC 76—Munsayac 24, Onwubere 22, Bonleon 7, Hamadou 7, Pascua 6, Diego 6, Mejos 4, Pascual 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, Mallari 0
Quarters: 26-16, 43-36, 67-58, 86-76