Jiovani Jalalon vs Kevin Racal. photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda and Letran came away with thrilling victories to retain their lofty positions Friday while Jose Rizal U lived to fight another day with a fourth straight win in the NCAA basketball tournament at a jampacked Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
On a day when all six contenders for a Final Four berth saw action, the Lions overcame the Mapua Cardinals, 75-65, while the Knights unleashed a strong finishing kick to rally past the Arellano Chiefs, 87-81.
The victories assured San Beda and Letran of a playoff for postseason berths after both improved to 12-4.
“It’s a big win because you get an advantage,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin. “Right now every game counts. I’m just happy that we were able to get a win.”
The Bombers sustained their late-season surge with a stunning 62-60 win over the Perpetual Help Altas, who fell to solo third after dropping to 11-5.
The results moved the Bombers to a share of fourth with the Chiefs and Cardinals at 10-6.
The rare triple-header drew one of the biggest crowds of the season with about 7,100 spectators.
Art dela Cruz finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds as the Lions recovered their bearings in the final period after squandering an early 22-point lead.
With a report from Jun Veloira
The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 75—Dela Cruz 17, Amer 15, Tankoua 12, Tongco 12, Koga 10, Adeogun 7, Mocon 2, Cabanag 0, Soberano 0, Reyes 0, Bonsubre 0.
MAPUA 65—Oraeme 15, Menina 15, Nieles 10, Nimes 9, Braña 6, Serrano 4, Isit 2, Aguirre 2, Raflores 2, Biteng 0.
Quarters: 23-12, 41-26, 58-48, 75-65
Second Game
JRU 62—Pontejos 19, Poutouochi 12, Teodoro 12, Grospe 12, Lasquety 4, Cruz 2, Dela Virgen 1, Astilla 0, Sanchez 0, Balagtas 0, Dela Paz 0.
PERPETUAL 60—Dizon 15, Thompson 12, Akhuetie 9, Dagangon 7, Eze 6, Coronel 4, Gallardo 4, Oliveria 3, Ylagan 0, Tamayo 0, Sadiwa 0.
Quarters: 11-17, 26-38, 55-52, 62-60
Third Game
LETRAN 87—Nambatac 21, Cruz 20, Racal 17, Sollano 10, Calvo 9, Publico 4, Apreku 3, Luib 2, Balagasay 1, Balanza 0, Gedaria 0, Quinto 0.
ARELLANO 81—Holts 16, Jalalon 14, Enriquez 14, Zamora 12, Meca 8, Nicholls 6, Gumaru 5, Bangga 2, Salado 2, Cadavis 2, Capara 0, Ortega 0.
Quarters: 13-21, 38-46, 63-69, 87-81