Stags, Knights share top spot, boost chances for Final 4 slots

San Sebastian, the defending champion, and Letran, last year’s runner-up, moved on top of the NCAA leaderboard yesterday after winning a pair of games marred by controversial calls and flaring tempers at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

San Sebastian wore down Mapua, 72-67, while Letran drove past Perpetual Help, 84-70, for identical 7-3 records that boosted their respective Final Four chances. Perpetual fell to 6-4 for solo third while Mapua dropped to 5-5 for fourth.

Leo Najorda dished off a monster game worthy of his MVP title, as he exploded for 23 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks, while committing only a single error to anchor the Stags to their third consecutive win.

The Stags used their efficient inside game to repulse the tough Cardinals, who scored the bout’s first twinner, but never tasted the lead thereafter.

Both teams complained of spotty officiating, especially in the waning minutes, where two controversial calls cost the two squads a crucial possession each.

In the other game, tempers flared in the third quarter, leading to the ejection of Perpetual’s Dean Apor and a technical foul on Letran’s Frederick Rodriguez. They got entangled underneath with the Apor throwing what looked like a closed fist, leading to his ejection and a possible sanction.

Letran uncorked a lethal 16-6 run bridging the third and final cantos to deal the Altas their third straight setback after finishing the first round of eliminations on top.

Ronjay Enrile scored 12 of his 16 points during that pivotal run, while Boyet Bautista led the Knights with 20 markers.

Najorda and Red Vicente, who got a season-high 20 markers, punished the Cardinals, who fell to 5-5, with unrelenting undergoal stabs and backdoor plays, providing the spark for the Stags, who lost their first two games in the tourney, but have won seven of eight since.

Mapua threatened to pull off a comeback in the final quarter, tying the contest at 56-all with 7:36 left, behind Erwin Sta. Maria’s two triples and a putback, with Najorda, Vicente, and top Stag playmaker Michael Gonzales resting on the bench.

However, San Sebastian coach Arturo Valenzona quickly reinserted the three, and the Stags held on, using solid defense and unselfish plays to scuttle Mapua’s hopes.

"We just played our game," said the multi-titled SSC coach. "Our teamwork helped us to overcome their zone and press."

Vicente also had seven boards, including four offensive ones, in perhaps his finest performance of the season so far. — Nathan Lee