MAPUA continued to play the spoiler’s role, this time scalping Arellano University, 81-76, to remain unbeaten in the second round of the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Cardinals used a 17-4 spurt at the start of the fourth quarter to break the backs of the Chiefs. Allwell Oraeme, Justin Serrano, Mark Braña and JP Nieles combined for 24 points in the fourth quarter to propel Mapua to its 10th win in 15 games to tie Arellano University at fourth place in the standings.
Oraeme led the Intramuros-based team with 30 rebounds he laced with 15. Exeqiel Biteng pumped in 15 points, while Serrano and Braña had 14 and 11, respectively, for the Cardinals.
Rookie guard Michael Salado led Arellano University with 17 points, while Jio Jalalon added 16 points with 11 rebounds and six assists.
Mapua Assistant Coach Ed Cordero called the shots for Mapua in lieu of Atoy Co, who served the second of his two-game suspension.
“This team is mostly [made up of] rookies and sophomores, and they are just delivering. They are not playing like rookies and sophomores, and they have all that confidence with Allwell [Oraeme] with that kind of intensity,” Cordero said.
Earl Scottie Thompson, meanwhile, recorded his sixth triple-double of the season to lead University of Perpetual Help past College of Saint Benilde in a lopsided contest, 70-47.
Thompson, the reigning Most Valuable Player, wound up with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to pace the Altas (10-4).
Image credits: Kevin de la Cruz