Cardinals go 2-0, rout Blazers

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Allwell Oraeme played with flu-like symptoms but hardly showed any effects of it to lead Mapua over College of St. Benilde, 78-68, for a 2-0 start in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Oraeme, the reigning MVP, dominated with 17 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks for the Cardinals, who beat the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers last Saturday.

“Allwell is sick. I don’t like to say this If matalo kami and I won’t even mention that but we won,” said Mapua head coach Atoy Co, when asked about his center having just minimal touches throughout the game. “I just said told him to get the rebound and play defense. Don’t mind the scoring because I need him more on defense.”

“He was actually shivering, feeling cold. He had fever and a runny nose.”

Starting guard CJ Isit added 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals for Mapua, which is in its best start under Co.

The Cardinals may be undefeated at this point, but Co wasn’t pleased with his players being overconfident against the Blazers.

“I’m not happy because we played too confident,” he said. “In the first half, the Blazers were more aggressive. We were too confident. Kinailangan pa silang sigawan during halftime. Hindi dapat ganon kasi baka maaksidente pa.”

Rookie Carlo Young kept the Blazers (0-2)  fighting with 20 points built on six 3-pointers.