Cardinals stun Lions in OT; Altas triumph

MAPUA spitfire CJ Isit takes it hard to the basket off San Beda’s Ranbill Tongco in yesterday’s game at Filoil Flying V Centre. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MAPUA’S guards stood tallest in overtime as the Cardinals snapped a five-game slide with a pulsating 101-97 victory over the San Beda Red Lions yesterday to keep fourth spot in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Regaining their bearings after watching Arnaud Noah nail a triple to send the game to overtime at 87-all, CJ Isit, Andoy Estrella and Darrell Menina combined for 14 points in the extra session to boost the Cardinals to their eighth victory in 13 games.

Groping for form early, Isit came alive with eight straight points in overtime to give the Cardinals enough cushion to put away the Lions, whom they have not beaten in three years.

Joseph Eriobu tallied a game-high 26 points, but he fouled out in overtime, leaving Allwell Oraeme to provide front-court muscle for the Cardinals at crunchtime. The league’s reigning MVP managed just 12 points, but still pulled down 24 rebounds.

“It’s an important win for us,” said Eriobu in Filipino. “It’s a huge boost considering San Beda is a strong team. We showed that we don’t give up.”

The victory gave the Cardinals some separation from the fifth-running Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers (7-6) in the race for the last Final Four spot.

The Lions wasted an eight-point cushion in the final period with Eriobu willing the Cardinals back into the game with 10 of his output in the quarter.

Menina hit two free throws with 10.7 seconds remaining for an 87-84 lead, but Noah tied the game with a triple, before Menina missed a triple at the buzzer.

Earlier, Perpetual Help drew solid games from Gab Dagangon and Daryl Singontiko as it turned back Arellano U, 76-62, to forge a tie at second spot with its victims.

Dagangon notched 22 points, but it was Singontiko who hit the biggest shots with nine of his 13 points coming in the final period as the Altas improved to 10-3, just half a game behind the Lions.

Much like most of the season, the Altas neutralized another high-octane offensive machine in the Chiefs, who came into the game averaging 85.1 points.

The Chiefs were held to a season-low output by the Altas, who took an early 18-7 advantage and never looked back.

“Defense is really our strength,” said Perpetual Help coach Jimwell Gican.

Kent Salado and Jio Jalalon led the Chiefs with 22 and 19 points, respectively, but Chiefs coach Jerry Codiñera struggled to squeeze the best out of his reserves.

The scores:

First Game

PERPETUAL 76—Dagangon 22, Akhuetie 15, Singontiko 13, Pido 10, Coronel 9, Eze 3, Dizon 2, Gallardo 2, Sadiwa 0, Hao 0, Ylagan 0.
ARELLANO 62—Salado 22, Jalalon 19, Flores 6, Cadavis 6, Holts 4, Meca 2, Villoria 2, Canete 1, Nicholls 0, Enriquez 0, Gumaru 0, Rivera 0.

Quarters: 18-7, 35-27, 54-48, 76-62

Second Game

MAPUA 101—Eriobu 26, Isit 15, Menina 14, Oraeme 12, Biteng 11, Estrella 10, Serrano 7, Bunag 6, Victoria 0, Orquina 0.
SAN BEDA 97—Mocon 19, Bolick 18, Potts 15, Noah 10, Tongco 7, Sara 6, Soberano 5, Presbitero 4, Adamos 4, Oftana 4, Navarro 3, Carlos 2, Alas 0, Bahio 0.

Quarters: 19-17, 39-43, 60-65, 87-87 (reg.) 101-97