By MARK REY MONTEJO
SAN Beda and College of St. Benilde completed the Final Four cast in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament – big thanks to No. 1 seed Mapua.
The Cardinals did not complicate matters for the Red Lions and Blazers to advance to the semis after securing a 77-74 win over the Jose Rizal University Bombers Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
The defeat ended JRU’s bid as it fell to 10-8, but paved the way for the Lions (11-6) and the Blazers (11-7) to join the Cardinals (15-3) and the Lyceum Pirates (13-5) in the semis.
And they have also to thank Clint Escamit for that after the MVP-candidate exploded for 25 points, including the go-ahead triple at the 2:08 mark.
The Blazers suffered a 77-69 defeat to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals early in the day but got a relief following Mapua’s win.
Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara lauded his team’s fluidity saying it would serve them well they face the Blazers in the semis.
“Yun nga team effort, yung talagang lahat [gumagawa eh], di mo naman talaga titignan lang sa umi-iscore,” Alcantara said.
“Talagang ginampanan nila ‘yong role nila sa team,” he added.
Bonifacio also finished with four rebounds, four assists and five steals while Warren Bonifacio added 17.
Nat Cosejo scattered 26 points as the Generals finished with a 9-9 mark.
The scores:
First Game
EAC 77- Cosejo 26, Maguliano 12, Gurtiza 9, Angeles 9, Robin 6, Luciano 5, Umpad 3, Cosa 3, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Tolentino 0, Quinal 0, Doria 0.
CSB 69- Corteza 19, Sangco 12, Nayve 10, Gozum 10, Cajucom 8, Carlos 4, Oczon 2, Marcos 2, Turco 2, Arciaga 0, Mara 0, Jarque 0, Morales 0.
Quarters: 21-16; 28-33; 52-49; 77-69.
Second Game
MAPUA 77– Escamis 25, Bonifacio 17, Cuenco 13, Recto 11, Hernandez 6, Rosillo 3, Soriano 2, Fornis 0, Dalisay 0, Asuncion 0
JRU 74– Miranda 16, Guiab 16, Dela Rosa 9, Delos Santos 8, Dionisio 8, Medina 6, Sarmiento 2, Mosqueda 2, Pabico 0, De Leon 0, Arenal 0, Argente 0, Sy 0
Quarters: 17-9; 33-31; 60-54; 77-74.
