Brana keys Mapua's squeaker over JRU

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Jrs)

12 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs San Beda (Jrs)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Srs)

4 p.m. – Perpetual vs San Beda (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Mapua went to Mark Brana in the stretch as it turned back Jose Rizal, 68-67, to bolster its Final Four bid in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Tuesday.

Brana scored a 3-point play with 5.9 seconds to go after he followed up on a CJ Isit's airball of a 3-point attempt and was fouled by John Pontejos for the game-winning free throw.

The Bombers had a chance to steal the win but John Grospe misfired on his jumper at the buzzer.

The Cardinals thus escaped with their third straight victory, their longest in the season, and seventh overall against five defeats, just half a game behind the No. 4 Perpetual Help Altas(8-4).

"He made the biggest plays of this game," said Mapua coach Atoy Co of Brana, who wound up with 12 points and eight rebounds a week after coming through with 10 points and 10 boards in a shock 70-65 win over Perpetual Help.

While Brana starred in the dying seconds, Nigerian Allwell Oraeme did most of the heavy lifting as he finished with 19 points and a game-high 27 rebounds.

Mapua also exacted revenge on Jose Rizal after the former blew an 18-point fourth quarter lead and lost, 87-90, in their first round meeting on Aug. 11.

The game also marked the return of Isit, who missed four games after dislocating an elbow in a 76-64 victory over St. Benilde a little over a month ago.

"His timing is still off but he's getting there," said Co of Isit.

The Bombers fell to No. 6 with a 6-6 mark.

In juniors' action, Mapua slammed Jose Rizal, 83-62, to improve to 11-1 while Arellano smashed Lyceum of the Philippines University,  100-77, to remain in the magic four with a 9-4 mark.

The scores:

Mapua 68 – Oraeme 19, Biteng 12, Brana 12, Isit 6, Nimes 6, Nieles 5, Menina 4, Serrano 2, Layug 2, Que 0, Aguirre 0

Jose Rizal 67 – Pontejos 21, Teodoro 18, Grospe 8, Sanchez 6, Abdul Wahab 4, dela Paz 4, Cruz 3, Poutouochi 2, Astilla 1, Lasquety 0, Aurin 0, dela Virgen 0

Quarterscores: 17-13; 29-31; 49-42; 68-67