Blazers, Cardinals on track for quarters bonus

Former league MVP Clint Escamis woke up from a stupor and unloaded 18 points to help Mapua’s resurgence.

NCAA Philippines / GMA-7

Games Saturday

(Filoil EcoOil Arena)

8:30 a.m. – San Beda vs JRU (juniors/seniors)

2:30 p.m. – LPU vs SSC-R

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde and Mapua hurdled their respective rivals Friday to boost their bids for a twice-to-beat quarterfinal edge in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.

The Blazers bucked the absence of their main man Allen Liwag as they downed the Letran Knights, 80-74, and pushed themselves to No. 2 in Group B with a 7-4 record, or half a game behind bracket leader San Beda (7-3).

The Cardinals, for their part, got back at the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 77-71, to likewise move to second in Group A with a 6-5 card, behind the latter with an 8-3 mark.

The top two finishers in their group would book that important bonus in the quarters.

“The boys fought hard even without Allen Liwag,” said CSB coach Charles Tiu.

It was an especially sweet win for Mapua, the reigning champion, as it avenged a 75-65 defeat to UPHSD in the first round that somehow started the former’s struggles all season long.

Former league MVP Clint Escamis woke up from a stupor and unloaded 18 points on this one to help Mapua’s resurgence.

“He’s a capable scorer, he’s our leader and captain ball,” said Mapua mentor Randy Alcantara of Escamis.

The Knights were shoved down to joint No. 3 with the Jose Rizal U Bombers with 6-5 cards.

The scores:

First Game

CSB 80 – Torres 15, Sanchez 14, Morales 13, Ynot 12, Ancheta 10, Umali 5, Celis 3, Gaspay 3, Eusebio 3, Cometa 2, Cajucom 0, Oli 0.

Letran 74 – Manalili 16, Estrada 14, Buensalida 10, Roque 9, Omega 9, Santos 8, Gammad 7, Rosilio 1, Cuajao 0, Tapenio 0, Silorio 0, Yusi 0 , Montecillo 0.

Quarterscores: 31-24; 48-50; 69-66; 80-74

Second Game

Mapua 77 – Escamis 18, Cuenco 13, Concepcion 11, Sapasap 10, Gonzales 8, Igliane 7, Delos Reyes 4, Nitura 2, Lazarte 2, Abdulla 2, Recto 0, Callangan 0, Ryan 0, Gulapa 0, Reyes 0.

UPHSD 61 – Alcantara 10, Sleat 9, Maglupay 9, Gojo Cruz 8, Boral 8, Casinilio 6, Tulabut 5, Orgo 3, Abis 2, Nuñez 1, Pagulayan 0, Guibao 0, Duremdes 0.

Quarterscores: 16-12; 40-30; 58-42; 77-61