Cardinals pip Generals sans MVP

INQUIRER.net PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MAPUA proved it has more than enough weapons even without reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme.

With rookie Almel Orquino rising to the occasion and CJ Isit quarterbacking efficiently, the Cardinals slipped past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 70-67, yesterday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan to keep in step with the San Beda Red Lions at the top of the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament.

Under pressure after the Lions repulsed the St. Benilde Blazers, 90-63, for their fourth straight win, the Cardinals needed a strong collective effort to overcome the hard-fighting Generals, whose bid to send the game to overtime went up in smoke when Francis Munsayac’s trey hit the back iron at the buzzer.

Lyceum used an explosive finish sparked by Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu and rookie Adrian Alban to notched its first win of the season at the expense of Jose Rizal U, 69-66.

Nzeusseu bullied his way to 24 points and grabbed 21 rebounds, while Alban had a season-high 19 points as the Pirates tied JRU and EAC at ninth spot with 1-3 records.

The Pirates trailed for most of the game until Nzeusseu and Alban joined forces for 20 of their team’s 24 points in the final period to fend off the Bombers. Nzeusseu split his free throws with 12 seconds to go and blocked Jordan Dela Paz’s layup on the other end to preserve the win.

Orquino fired 13 points, while Isit matched Andrew Estrella’s output with 12 for the Cardinals, who missed the 6-foot-9 Oraeme’s presence after coach Atoy Co decided to rest him.

Oraeme, who was averaging 21 points and league-highs 21 rebounds and 3.7 blocks an outing, was said to be nursing a minor injury.

Davon Potts fired 19 points, including 12 in the first half when the Lions put the game out of the Blazers’ reach.

The scores:

First Game

SAN BEDA 90—Potts 19, Tankoua 17, Bolick 11, Tongco 11, Mocon 8, Noah 5, Presbitero 5, Adamos 4, Soberano 3, Carlos 2, Navarro 2, Optana 2, Bonsubre 1, Alas 0.

ST. BENILDE 63—Lentcheu 19, Young 10, Jj Dom-ingo 8, Castor 4, Fajarito 2, Saavedra 2, Sta. Maria 1, Belgica 0, Dixon 0, Js. Do-mingo 0, Pajarillaga 0, Pasamante 0, Pili 0, San Juan 0.

Quarter: 24-10, 40-26, 61-36, 90-63

Second Game

MAPUA 70—Orquino 13, Estrella 12, Isit 12, Eriobu 9, Biteng 6, Bunag 6, Victoria 6, Menina 4, Serrano 2, Magboo 0, Raflores 0.

EAC 67—Laminou 13, Onwubere 13, Morada 12, Munsayac 11, Diego 8, King 7, Pascua 2, General 1, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, Guzman 0, Serrano 0.

Quarters: 19-10, 36-37, 56-53, 70-67

Third Game

LYCEUM 69—Nzeusseu 24m Alban 19, Marata 8, Alanes 4, Ayaay 4, Malabanan 4, Serafico 4, Caduyac 2, Baltazar 0, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0.

JRU 66—Grospe 16, Teodoro 14, Lasquety 10, Poutouochi 10, Dela Paz 6, AbdulWahab 5, Pontejos 3, Salaveria 2, Astilla 0, Dela Virgen 0, Evardo 0.

Quarters: 9-16, 27-29, 45-47, 69-66