MANILA, Philippines—Kelvin Dela Peña took charge in the final period as Mapua Institute of Technology slipped past winless Philippine Christian University, 77-71, Monday in the NCAA men’s basketball competition at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.Dela Peña, the reigning Most Valuable Player, shot seven of his 12 points in the final period, including a key layup in the last 54.4 seconds that boosted the Cardinals’ lead to 76-69. “There are still many loopholes in our game,” said coach Leo Isaac after his Cardinals improved to 2-1 behind the unbeaten Letran College Knights (2-0). “It was a big factor that Beau Belga and Leimar Navarro also got into foul trouble, so we took advantage of it.” Earlier, Jose Rizal University posted its first victory in three games by downing College of Saint Benilde, 75-67. John Wilson unloaded a triple and JR Sena followed with a three-point play to give the JRU Bombers a 68-59 cushion after the CSB Blazers trimmed the deficit to four at 62-59. “It was difficult,” said Bombers coach Ariel Vanguardia. “We got our game going early, but they caught up. Maybe it’s because of the pressure of [possibly] losing three straight.” Sena shot a game-high 21 points, while Cagoco collected 20 markers and three steals for the Bombers, who zoomed to an 11-point spread, 22-11, at the end of first quarter. The Bombers, last season’s third placers, joined idle San Sebastian College at 1-2. The Blazers skidded to their second straight loss after a 2-0 start. The PCU Dolphins remained winless in two games. In junior play, Keith Agovida unloaded 37 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the JRU Light Bombers overwhelmed the CSB-La Salle Greenhills five, 105-80. The scores: First Game (Jrs)
JOSE RIZAL 105—Agovida 37, Vigil 22, Saret 19, Villena 14, Madlangbayan 7, Oliveria 6, Barranco 0, Mathias 0, Lontoc 0, Viyal 0, Yasa 0.
ST. BENILDE 80—Reyes Mart. 29, Reyes Mikee 19, Franco 11, Malimban 7, Reyes Marc. 5, Henares 5, Flores 2, Tanchueco 2, Vergara 0, Flores 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 22-20, 57-42, 74-58, 105-80 Second Game (Srs)
JOSE RIZAL 75—Sena 21, Cagoco 20, Wilson 10, Njei 7, Hayes 6, Bulangis 5, Apinan 4, Nocom 2, Almario 0, Kabigting 0, Agas 0, Lopez 0.
ST. BENILDE 67—Morial 17, David 12, Manlapaz 8, Mañalac 6, Dalanon 6, Santos 6, Montecastro 5, Umlas 3, Abolucion 2, Sevilla 2, Johnston 0, Dela Paz 0.
Quarters: 22-11, 34-29, 53-53, 75-67 Third Game (Srs)
MAPUA 77—Sarangay 13, Dela Peña 12, Pascual N. 12, Mangahas 9, Banal 8, Guillermo 6, Mazo 6, Soriano 5, Pascual J. 2, Acosta 2, Palomique 2, Ranises 0.
PCU 71—Belga 15, Navarro 15, Amparado 12, Arce 8, Busa 7, Allen 5, McCoy 4, Santos 3, Gomez 2, Sumera 0, Vidal 0, San Pedro 0.
Quarters: 18-14, 36-36, 55-54, 77-71 |
