Mapua completes Final Four cast, thwarts St. Benilde

Allwell Oraeme against CSB defenders. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Mapua clinched the last Final Four seat in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament, repulsing St. Benilde, 69-59 Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The win, which was the Cardinals’ fourth straight, placed them at joint third with Perpetual at 11-5 and also eliminated Jose Rizal (9-8) in the playoff race.

“I’m happy we’re in the Final Four, but dumaan kami sa butas ng karayom eh,” said coach Atoy Co, as Mapua had to gut out the gritty win over the Blazers.

“I don’t know if the boys were pressured. Benilde had something to gain and nothing lose. I think we have to play harder in the first two quarters. Only in the third fourth quarters, doon lang nagising ang players,” he said. “We cannot afford to play that kind of game from start to middle.”

From a close 50-48 lead early in the fourth, the Cardinals found their groove and went on a 15-5 tear to break away, 65-53, with 2:01 left to play.

Allwell Oraeme topped Mapua with 16 points, 19 rebounds, and two blocks, while Joseph Eriobu chipped in 13 markers.

The Cardinals can still make a run for the twice-to-beat edge if they sweep their final two assignments against Arellano and Perpetual.

“If play on the same page, they will have a hard time to beat us. But we can’t play this way,” said Co. “Maybe we have to practice harder. Yung bagong plays, di ma-execute ng tama. There is no consistency.”

St. Benilde seemed poised to nab the win early, leading by as much as nine in the second quarter to finish the first half at the driver’s seat, 31-29, for the first time in the season.

Unfortunately, the Blazers would continue their nightmarish season and fell to their 16th defeat.

Yankie Haruna paced St. Benilde with 11 points and four rebounds, while Gerald Castor had 10 markers, seven boards, and five assists.

The Scores:

MAPUA 69 – Oraeme 16, Eriobu 13, Isit 8, Menina 8, Serrano 8, Victoria 6, Estrella 4, Bunag 2, Orquina 2, Raflores 2, Aguirre 0.
ST. BENILDE 59 – Haruna 11, Castor 10, Leutcheu 10, Young 10, JJ Domingo 7, Belgica 6, Dixon 3, Pasamante 2, Pajarillaga 0, Pili 0, Saavedra 0, Suarez 0.