FilOil: Mapua nips JRU in 2 OTs

MANILA—The Mapua Cardinals needed two extra periods to shove the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers to their third straight loss, 89-85, Wednesday in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Pre-season Premiere Cup at the Arena in San Juan.

FILE PHOTO by August Dela Cruz

In the second game, key baskets down the stretch aided the University of the East Red Warriors to slip past the Letran Knights, 83-78, also in overtime.

The Cardinals secured four straight points in the second overtime to break away from 85-all  en route to the victory despite an erratic showing.

Jonathan Banal, who had 18 points, went two-of-two from the line with 29.2 seconds remaining after Yousef Taha, who added 15, first gave Mapua the 87-85 lead with 1:39.

Allan Mangahas led the Cardinals, who actually had more turnovers than the Bombers, 24-19, with 24 markers.

Nate Matute, who botched 15 of his 18 attempts from the three-point line, failed to spark any run for the Bombers as he went 0-of-3 from beyond the arch in last two minutes of the second overtime.

Matute finished 24 points in a losing effort for JRU.

Meanwhile, Franz Chiong fired 22 points to help Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals rout listless College of St. Benilde Blazers, 88-75.

Chiong also had six rebounds and seven dimes for the Generals, who upped their mark to 2-4.

The Blazers succumbed to their sixth straight setback in as many outings.

Carlo Lastimosa’s 16 points paced St. Benilde, which only managed to pull to within five, 72-77, as the Blazers never threatened.

EAC starting forward Claude Cubo chipped in with a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards.

The Generals outrebounded the Blazers, 48-38.

The scores
First Game
EAC 88—Chiong 22, Cubo 15, Jamon 13, Happi 11, Villegas 9, Yaya 7, Sanchez 7, Tayontong 4, Diolanto 0.
ST. BENILDE 75—C. Lastimosa 16, Sinco 12, Fikowski 8, Romero 7, Tan 7, Grey 7, Dela Paz 6, Altamirano 6, Mccoy 2, Deles 2, R. Lastimosa 2, Taha 0, De Guzman 0, Garcia 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 46-40, 70-62, 88-75
Second Game
MAPUA 89—Mangahas 24, Banal 18, Taha 15, Nimes 12, Sarangay 7, Ighalo 6, Parala 6, Pascual 1, Stevens 0, Maniego 0.
JRU 85—Matute 24, Apinan 17, Villarias 12, Kabigting 9, Almario 8, Carampil 7, Lopez 4, Gaco 2, Mendoza 2, Dela Paz 0, Montemayor 0, Monserat 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 40-40, 64-59, 75-75 (reg), 82-82, 89-85