Knights barge to Final Four, oust Altas

Games Tuesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 nn. – St. Benilde vs LPU (jrs)

2 p.m. – Mapua vs Arellano (srs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Letran (srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Letran came out with a sustained attack and ran a surprisingly listless Perpetual Help to the ground with an empathic 93-64 victory Friday to secure a Final Four return in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal fired 18 and 15 points, respectively, but most of it came in the first half when the Knights made their move and hammered out the lopsided win to join the San Beda Lions in the Final Four by finishing the double-round elimination with identical 13-5 (win-loss) records.

"I was confident after our loss to San Beda that we'll bounce back strong and the players didn't disappoint," said Letran coach Aldin Ayo, who fell to the reigning five-peat champion, 73-77, last Tuesday.

The Knights will have a chance to avenge their defeat to the Lions as the two collide on Tuesday at the MOA Arena for the top seeding.

The Altas, in contrast, fell to their seventh defeat against 11 wins and out of the Final Four.

Jose Rizal, Mapua and Arellano wound up tied for third to fifth spot but the Bombers ended up with the highest quotient score of 20 and will book the third Final Four berth as the Cardinals (-1) and the Chiefs (-20) fight it out on Tuesday for the No. 4 slot.

The winner of the Mapua-Arellano game will then face Jose Rizal on Thursday also at the MOA Arena for the No. 3 seeding.

Earlier, Jose Rizal and Mapua routed San Sebastian, 91-69, and Emilio Aguinaldo, 88-63, to forge at least a playoff for the Final Four spot.

John Pontejos exploded with a game-best 23 points including five booming triples to lead the way for the Bombers while Nigerian Allwell Oraeme posted all-around numbers with 16 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and three steals to spearhead the Cardinals.

The win was the 12th against six defeats for both Jose Rizal and Mapua that pushed them a step or two into the next phase.

"We did what we could and hope for the better in the playoffs," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

Mapua shooter Exeqiel Biteng was tossed out after he hit EAC's Sydney Onwubere on the face in the second quarter that elicited him an automatic one-game suspension he will serve in the playoff.

Like Jose Rizal, it took Mapua a big second half run to put the game out of reach.

"We made some defensive adjustments in the second half, that changed the complexion of the game," said Mapua mentor Atoy Co.

The Stags finished the season at seventh with a 6-12 (win-loss) record while the Generals wound up 10th and dead last with a 2-16 slate.

The scores

First Game

Jose Rizal 91 – Pontejos 23, Estrella 11, Balagtas 8, Lasquety 6, Cruz 6, Teodoro 6, Grospe 6, Sanchez 5, Poutouchi 5, Abdul Wahab 4, Dela Paz 3, dela Virgen 3, David 3, Astilla 2, Aurin 0

San Sebastian 69 – Guinto 14, Calisaan 13, Ortuoste 10, Bulanadi 7, Pretta 6, Sibal 5, Santos 4, Fabian 4, Costelo 3, Capobres 3, Bragais 0, Alvarez 0

Quarterscores: 23-17; 43-38; 68-56; 91-69

Second Game

Mapua 88 – Oraeme 16, Menina 14, Brana 14, Nimes 13, Nieles 12, isit 11, Biteng 3, Serrano 3, Aguirre 2, Raflores 0

EAC 63 – Onwubere 21, Hamadou 11, General 8, Munsayac 8, Mejos 5, Bonleon 2, Pascual 0, Corilla 0, Mallari 0

Quarterscores: 15-14; 41-38; 61-50; 88-63

Third Game

Letran 93 – Cruz 18, Racal 15, Luib 10, Publico 10, Balanza 8, Quinto 8, Sollano 6, Nambatac 6, Gedaria 5, Bernabe 3, Apreku 2, Balagasay 2, dela Pena 0

Perpetual Help 64 – Eze 24, Akhuetie 13, Thompson 7, Pido 6, Dizon 5, Dagangon 4, Oliveria 2, Coronel 2, Ylagan 1, Tamayo 0, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0, Sadiwa 0

Quarterscores: 21-10; 50-26; 72-42; 93-64