De la Peña takes charge for Cards

Reigning MVP Kelvin de la Peña pumped in seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Mapua survived Philippine Christian U, 77-71, yesterday to seize solo third in the 84th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Astrodome.

It was the Cardinals’ second straight victory after bowing to the powerhouse San Beda Lions in the opener two weeks ago.

“We’re waiting for Kelvin to find his range and I’m happy he did in the fourth quarter,” said Mapua coach Leo Isaac, referring to his talented guard from Alberta, Canada who is on his final season as King Cardinal.

PBL standout Beau Belga, Leimar Navarro and Lisztian Amparado combined for 42 points for PCU but fouled out one after the other down the stretch as the Dolphins’ stumbled to their second straight loss.

For a stretch, however, PCU appeared headed for a big upset.

Down by nine points in the second quarter, the Dolphins, behind Belga, Navarro and Amparado, clawed their way back and even wrested a 50-42 lead in the third quarter.

But with the foul-riddled troika forced to sit on the bench, the Taft-based squad cracked up as De la Peña sparked a big run on the other end, powering Mapua to a 73-61 lead with over three minutes left in the contest.

Belga, Navarro and Amparado tried to rally the team in the clutch but the Dolphins fell short of their bid after they fouled out one after the other.

Earlier, Jose Rizal drew strength from James Sena and Marc Cagoco as it repulsed St. Benilde, 75-67, for its first win after back-to-back setbacks.

In the juniors division, Keith Agovida had 37 points and 15 rebounds as Jose Rizal Light Bombers walloped CSB-La Salle Greenhills, 105-80.