NCAA: JRU, Mapua trip NCAA foes

ALLWELL Oraeme of Mapua and Jiovani Jalalon of Arellano dispute possession in their NCAA match yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Sustaining their fiery forms, Jose Rizal U and Mapua boosted their Final Four hopes with stunning victories even as Perpetual Help seized solo third in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Heavy Bombers handed the Letran Knights their second straight loss with an impressive 86-80 triumph that also kept JRU in the hunt for a postseason berth.

With Allwell Oraeme keeping his dominant form, the Cardinals were just as impressive in trouncing the Arellano Chiefs, 81-76, for their sixth straight victory. Mapua remained unbeaten in the second round.

Reigning MVP Earl Scottie Thompson dished out his sixth triple double of the season with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to power the Altas past the listless St. Benilde Blazers, 70-47, for their 10th win against four defeats.

The results further muddled up a Final Four race that has shaped up into a six-team battle. Letran which lost a second straight game for the first time this season fell to second spot with an 11-4 record while Mapua tied Arellano for fourth spot with a 10-5 slate, just a full game ahead of JRU.

“We are taking it one game at a time but what’s important is we are giving ourselves a chance [at a Final Four spot],” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.

The Bombers got off to a strong start, racing to a double-digit advantage in the first period before leaning on Paolo Pontejos’ fourth quarter explosion to hold off the fading Knights.

Pontejos fired nine of his 21 points in the final period where the Bombers pulled away after trailing 69-70, 6:58 remaining.

The 6-foot-9 Oraeme grabbed 30 rebounds for the second straight game on top of 15 points for the Cardinals who claimed their second straight upset after their 82-77 win over Letran last Tuesday.

“What can I say, it was gratifying to see my players starting to really play hard,” said Ed Cordero, who called the shots in place of the suspended Atoy Co. With a report from Jun Veloira

The scores:
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 70—Thompson 21, Akhuetie 11, Eze 10, Dagangon 9, Ylagan 8, Coronel 4, Sadiwa 4, Dizon 3, Oliveria 0, Tamayo 0, Gallardo 0, Elopre 0
ST. BENILDE 47—Grey 14, J. Domingo 12, Jonson 7, Ongteco 7, Saavedra 7, Nayve 0, S. Domingo 0, Deles 0, Sta. Maria 0, Castor 0, Dixon 0, San Juan 0, Fajarito 0
Quarters: 21-11, 40-19, 51-35, 70-47
Second Game
MAPUA 81—Biteng 15, Oraeme 15, Serrano 14, Braña 11, Nieles 8, Menina 7, Que 3, Nimes 3, Raflores 3, Isit 2, Villaseñor 0.
ARELLANO 76—Salado 17, Jalalon 16, Gumaru 13, Holts 9, Meca 7, Bangga 7, Cadavis 4, Nicholls 3, Capara 0, Enriquez 0, Ortega 0, Tano 0.
Quarters: 23-20, 33-43, 54-62, 81-76