Ousted Cardinals stall Altas’ semifinal bid

Games tomorrow

12 noon – Lyceum vs EAC (Jrs/Srs)

4 p.m. – Arellano vs Jose Rizal (Srs/Jrs)

MANILA, Philippines - Mapua played the spoiler’s role to the hilt, stunning Final Four contender Perpetual Help, 91-81, in the lone seniors match in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Leo Gabo sizzled with 23 points while CJ Isit torched the Altas with 21 points, including clutch baskets, while dishing off 10 assists as the Cardinals carried out a personal mission despite bowing out of the semis race as early as last week.

“This should be the biggest win this season, hopefully we’ll have some more,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co, who steered the Cardinals to their fourth win against 10 losses, surpassing their forgettable three-win effort last year.

The Altas, who came into the match the heavy favorites following their 91-57 rout of the Cardinals in the first round last June 30, took the Cardinals lightly and trailed in all quarters.

The Altas tried to mount a rally in the third but the Cardinals matched their pace and even led by eight in the fourth.

Perpetual wrested a 71-70 lead on a three-point play by Justine Alano off a Jessie Saitanan foul with a little over six minutes remaining in the game.

But the Cardinals surprised the Altas with a strong finishing kick, outscoring them, 21-10, to pull off the victory.

Instead of catching up with idle St. Benilde at fourth, Perpetual Help remained in solo fifth at 8-6, one full game behind the Blazers, who tote a 9-5 card.

San Beda clinched the first Final Four slot with an 11-2 slate with Arellano U and Jose Rizal U tied at second with 9-4 marks.

Earl Scottie Thompson, who accidentally collided with teammate Harold Arboleda in the early in the fourth, paced Perpetual with 20.

The scores: 

Mapua 91 – Gabo 23, Isit 21, Eriobu 13, Cantos 12, Biteng 9, Estrella 7, Saitanan 6, Tubiano 0, Villasenor 0

Perpetual Help 81 – Thompson 20, Baloria 19, Alano 14, Arboleda 11, Dagangon 8, Jolangcob 5, Ylagan 2, Pido 2, Oliveria 0, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0

Quarterscores: 28-26; 47-40; 65-60; 91-81