Lions protest Altas’ victory

MAPUA’S Carlos Isit (second from left, top photo) confronts EAC’s John Tayongtong (facing camera),who responds with a punch that knocked
down Isit and triggered the bench-clearing free-for-all (above) in their no-bearing NCAA game yesterday at Filoil Flying VArena. AUGUST DELACRUZ

Harold Arboleda converted the last two of his three free throws to lift Perpetual Help past early semifinalist San Beda, 76-75, yesterday in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena.

But San Beda team manager Jude Roque placed the game under protest, claiming that a three-point shot by Perpetual’s Joel Jolangcob in the third quarter should have been nullified since the Altas had already committed a 24-second shot clock violation.

Perpetual’s win was overshadowed by a bench-clearing brawl late in the second game between also-rans Emilio Aguinaldo College and Mapua.

Mapua guard Leo Gabo shoved EAC’s John Tayongtong after the latter had knocked down defender Carlos Isit using his shoulder as they crossed the midcourt line. EAC’s  Jan Jamon confronted Gabo while Isit went after Tayongtong, who responded with a punch that floored Isit and sparked the free-for-all.

After replaying the video of the incident several times, commissioner Bai Cristobal decided to eject all the players involved in the melee that occurred with 28.5 seconds left. As a result, Cristobal awarded the victory to the Generals, 86-77, since only one player from each side—Mapua’s Jessie Saitanan and Jozhua General of EAC—didn’t leave the bench.

The Cardinals dropped to 4-11 while the Generals improved to 4-12.

Trailing 74-75 with two tenths of a second left, the Altas pulled through as Arboleda, fouled while taking a three-point attempt by Art Dela Cruz, sank his last two charities. The Altas rose to 9-6 while San Beda fell to 13-3.

The scores:

First Game

PERPETUAL 76—Baloria 22, Dagangon 18, Alano 12, Arboleda 9, Thompson 7, Jolangcob 6, Oliveria 2, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0.

SAN BEDA 75—Adeogun 20, Amer 10, Mendoza 10, De La Cruz 9, A. Semerad 8, Tongco 8, Cabanag 4, Pascual 4, Koga 2, Abatayo 0, D. Semerad 0, Solera 0.

Quarters: 15-13, 34-31, 63-49, 76-75.

Second Game

EAC 86—Jamon 21, Serrano 13, General 13, Onwubere 12, Tayongtong 9, Mejos 8, Pascual 6, Arquero 4, Aguilar 0, Santos 0, Saludo 0

MAPUA 77—Gabo 15, Eriobu 14, Saitanan 11, Isit 10, Cantos 10, Estrella 9, Biteng 4, Canaynay 2, Serrano 2, Villasenor 0

Quarters: 24-14; 39-35; 61-57; 86-77