Knights overrun Blazers, reach Final 4

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

4 p.m. – Mapua vs San Beda

6 p.m. – San Sebastian vs Jose Rizal

Standings            W          L

San Beda             13         2

Letran                  12         3

Perpetual              11          5

San Sebastian       8           6

EAC                       8            8

Jose Rizal             6              8

Arellano U           6              9

St. Benilde          5              10

Lyceum                5              10

Mapua                  1              14

MANILA, Philippines - Letran leaned on Mark Cruz’s strong all-around effort as it rallied to beat St. Benilde, 95-89, in overtime to join reigning three-peat champion San Beda in the Final Four of the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Mark Cruz started up slow but recovered in time with clutch hits in overtime. He finished with 19 points he spiked with nine boards and nine assists in a near triple-double performance by the smallest player on the court.

The Knights nailed their 12th win against three losses, or just a game behind the pace-setting Lions, who lead the way with a 13-2 mark.

The Blazers fell to their 10th loss against five victories.

John Pinto produced a triple-double performance and scored the marginal shot as he powered Arellano U to a pulsating 71-70 victory over EAC to light up its flickering Final Four hopes.

The Chiefs sealed their sixth win against nine losses while sending the Generals to their eighth defeat against the same number of triumphs to stay at No. 5.

An EAC win would have sent Arellano U out of the Final Four hunt and into early vacation.

“Everyone knows it’s a must-win game and I’m happy the players responded,” said Arellano U coach Koy Banal, who went straight to the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay for Petron’s game versus Rain or Shine in the PBA.

It was another heroic effort by Pinto, who also scored a game-winner in his team’s 76-75 squeaker of a win over Lyceum last Sept. 12.

John Tayongtong buried a fadeaway baseline jumper over the outstretched arms of Cameroonian Noube Happi to give the Chiefs a two-point cushion with 39.9 seconds.

He had a chance to tie it again but he splits his charities pushing the Generals closer, 70-71.

After the Chiefs came up empty on their possession, Tayongtong had one more chance to score the winner but his shot hit the board too hard as time expired, allowing Arellano U to escape with the win.

to knot it at 69-all, Tayongtong, who first played for Arellano U two years ago before transferring to EAC, had a chance to tie it again but he splits his charities that pushed the Generals closer, 70-71.

After the Chiefs came up empty on their possession, Tayongtong had one more chance to shine and redeem himself but his shot hit the board too hard as time expired, allowing Arellano U to escape with the win.

The scores:

First Game

AU 71 – Pinto 18, Caperal 14, Forrester 8, Agovida 8, Hernandez 6, Serjue 6, Jalalon 5, Salcedo 4, Bangga 2, Gumaru 0, Cadavis 0, Enriquez 0.

EAC 70 – Jamon 21, Happi 17, Arquero 11, Tayongtong 6, Morada 5, Paguia 4, Onwubere 4, King 2, Munsayac 0.

Quarterscores: 17-13; 39-31; 59-47; 71-70

Second Game

CSJL 95 – Cruz 19, Nambatac 17, Racal 16, Almazan 16, Ruaya 8, Buenaflor 6, Tambeling 5, Castro 3, Belorio 3, Luib 2, Gabawan 0, Publico.

CSB 89 – Romero 19, Bartolo 17, Garcia 16, Jonson 12, Grey 10, Saavedra 6, Sinco 3, Nayve 2, Argamino 2, Ongteco 2, De Guzman 0, Deles 0.

Quarterscores: 21-22; 58-62; 82-82; 95-89