Cards, Lions stay on top

MAPUA rode on a monster effort from the reigning league MVP Tuesday, while San Beda drew strength from its reserves as the Cardinals and Red Lions stayed unscathed in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Cardinals center Allwell Oraeme proved tenacious on both ends, finishing with 22 points, 25 rebounds and five blocks as Mapua held off Lyceum, 75-64, for its third straight victory.

“Allwell is the heart and soul of this team and [yesterday] he showed us why,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co, after the Cardinals extended their best start since he took over in 2013.

San Beda matched Mapua’s impressive start, bucking the absence of skipper Dan Sara in a 91-76 drubbing of Emilio Aguinaldo College, while Jose Rizal University leaned on a big start to notch its first win of the season at the expense of St. Benilde, 86-56.

The Generals fell to 1-2, while the Blazers absorbed a fourth straight defeat to start the season. The Pirates also remained winless in three games.

San Beda guard Ranbill Tongco came off the bench to pour 22 points in 17 minutes, while AC Soberano rediscovered his shooting touch to notch 21 on five-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.

Robert Bolick and Jomari Presbitero also dished out solid games, combining for 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Lions, who pulled away in the third period.

“We filled in Dan Sara’s absence by committee,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin. “I’m glad everyone stepped up.”

ST. BENILDE’S Kendrix Belgica uses an arm press to prevent Abdouladif Poutouchi of JRU from taking a shot in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Sara missed the game due to a fractured finger he sustained in practice early this week.

Paolo Pontejos bounced back from a scoreless outing against Perpetual Help, firing 23 points to carry the Heavy Bombers to their first win in three games.

“I’m happy they responded to the challenge,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “If we play like this, all of the teams here will have difficulty beating us.”

The scores:
First Game
MAPUA 75—Oraeme 22, Isit 16, Biteng 15, Estrella 6, Menina 6, Eriobu 4, Serrano 4, Victoria 2, Magboo 0, Orquina 0, Raflores 0.
LYCEUM 64—Nzeusseu 16, Ayaay 15, Serafico 11, Baltazar 7, Alban 6, Alanes 3, Caduyac 3, Bulawan 2, Malabanan 1, Rubite 0, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 38-35, 58-42, 75-64
Second Game
SAN BEDA 91—Tongco 22, Soberano 21, Potts 13, Presbitero 8, Mocon 7, Bolick 5, Tankoua 4, Oftana 4, Alas 4, Noah 2, Bonsubre 1, Navarro 0, Carlos 0, Adamos 0
EAC 76—Laminou 18, Munsayac 13, Onwubere 12, Morada 11, King 10, Pascua 7, Corilla 3, Diego 2, Mendoza 0, Aguas 0, Guzman 0, Neri 0, Serrano 0, Estacio 0, General 0
Quarters: 20-13, 40-34, 71-53, 91-76
Third Game
JRU 86—Pontejos 23, Teodoro 15, Poutouochi 10, Abdul Wahab 8, Evardo 6, Dela Paz 5, Lasquety 4, Mendoza 4, Dada 3, Astilla 2, Caballero 2, Cruz 2, Grospe 2, Dela Virgen 0.
ST. BENILDE 56—Jj. Domingo 21, Belgica 11, Leutcheu 8, Dixon 4, Castor 3, Pajarillaga 2, Sta. Maria 2, Js Domingo 0, Pasamante 0, Saavedra 0, San Juan 0, Young 0.
Quarters: 22-6, 36-22, 57-34, 86-56