MANILA, Philippines -- Birthday boy Mark Cruz continued his exceptional showing in the absence of teammate Franz Dysam as Letran pummeled a listless Mapua 87-68, for its seventh straight win in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Monday.
The diminutive but big-hearted Cruz came through with another sterling game as he erupted with 22 points he spiked with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals to help keep the Knights on top with a pristine 7-0 (win-loss) record, one game ahead of the idle San Beda Lions (6-1).
It was Cruz's second straight strong effort after torching the Arellano U Chiefs with his season-high 25 points in a 67-57 win last Thursday since getting additional minutes following a shooting incident that nearly took the life of the seasoned Dysam.
It was also a nice way to celebrate a birthday as Cruz, now 21, turned a leaf last Saturday.
Raymond Almazan, who leads the MVP statistical race, also checked in another solid effort with 13 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks while team captain Jonathan Belorio, who is slowly getting in top shape after getting hobbled by injury at the start of the season, chipped in 12 points.
But none of them stood taller than Cruz, who at just 5-7 is one of the smallest guys in the league right now.
"He played huge for us again, he was just all over the court," said Letran coach Caloy Garcia referring to his gutsy guard.
The Cardinals just didn't know what knocked them out as they struggled against the Knights' relentless full-court trapping resulting in easy, fast break opportunities.
Mapua was already buried deep after the opening quarter, 8-25, and at the end of the first half, 30-47. Letran 's biggest lead before the break was 20 points, 47-27, that was only slashed down to 17 after Mapua's Kenneth Ighalo buried a buzzer-beating triple just before the break.
For a while though, Mapua mentor Atoy Co's halftime huddle enliven the Cardinals a bit as they started out strong early in the third period thanks to an aggressive 11-4 run that saw them inching closer to 31-41.
But a booming Belorio 3-pointer sparked a 17-12 exchange that saw Letran stretching it back to a comfortable 68-53 cushion entering the last 10 minutes of the game.
And it was all over but the shouting from there.
Mapua, which was led by Ighalo's 17 points, fell to its fifth straight loss and sixth overall against a win to fall at the bottom of the standings.
Meanwhile, the league takes a two-week sabbatical to give way for the FIBA-Asia Championship slated from Aug. 1 to 11 and will resume on Aug. 12 also at The Arena in San Juan with Arellano U taking on St. Benilde and San Beda clashing with San Sebastian.
The scores
First Game
Letran (87) -- Cruz 22, Almazan 13, Belorio 12, Luib 11, Tambeling 8, Racal 8, Nambatac 7, Po 3, Buenaflor 3, Castro 0, Ruaya 0, Olotu 0, Publico 0.
Mapua(68) -- Ighalo 17, Biteng 11, Eriobu 11, Brana 11, Isit 6, Saitanan 6, Gonzalez 2, Magsigay 2, Estrella 2, Sumampong 0, Gabo 0, Guzman 0, Magtoto 0, Layug 0.
Quarters: 25-8, 47-30, 68-53, 87-68.