Lions extend unbeaten run, clip Cards

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda bucked the absence of starting guard Borgie Hermida as it downed a rough-playing Mapua side, 90-78, yesterday to stretch its win run to 12 in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Garvo Lanete exploded with a season-best 30 points while Anjo Caram played quality minutes in the absence of Hermida, who came in playing uniform but was rested due to slight fever, as the Lions kept their unbeaten slate.

Lanete, a fourth-year guard out of Zamboanga, fired 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Lions finally doused cold water on the Cardinals’ series of rallies.

The Lions also played without rookie guard Jaypee Mendoza, who was sent to the hospital after complaining of back pains.

“We played without Borgie and Jaypee but the other guys stepped up, particularly Garvo,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Cardinals, who were led by Allan Mangahas’ 22 points, absorbed their fifth setback against seven wins.

Mapua coach Chito Victolero was tossed out for continuous complaining but the Cardinals still fought back from double-digit deficits to close within 57-66.

In the other game, Kris Alas sizzled in offense as Letran overpowered Perpetual Help, 90-61, to remain in the hunt for the fourth and last semis berth.

Alas scored a team-high 16 points that more than made up for the absence of the younger Kevin, their leading scorer who was out due to fever, to help the Knights nail their fifth win against seven losses.

Letran, however, needs to sweep its last four games and hope Mapua dropped its remaining matches to at least force a playoff.

“It’s not in our hands anymore,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

Aloysius Taplah, Jam Cortes, Franz Dysam, Jaypee Belencion and Jay Espiritu tossed in 14, 13, 12, 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Knights.

The Altas, led by Jet Vidal’s 21 points, took their 12th straight loss.

In juniors’ action, San Beda leaned on a triple-double performance by Baser Amer as it turned back Mapua, 93-83, to close in on the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

Amer came through with 24 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to propel the Cubs to their 11th win against a loss while sending the Mapua Robins to their sixth setback against the same number of wins.

Perpetual Help, meanwhile, snapped Letran’s amazing eight-game streak with a 72-69 victory that forced a three-way tie at second with its victim and San Sebastian on 8-4 records.