Cards outlast Knights in double OT

MANILA, Philippines — Noah Lugo dished out a performance to remember as he willed Mapua to a shock 105-101 double-overtime victory over Letran yesterday to cling on to its Final Four hopes in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Lugo, a former Mapua Red Robin who went to Lyceum before returning to Mapua, unleashed a career-high 31 points, including five in the second OT that propelled the Cardinals to their fourth win against six defeats.

More importantly, Mapua moved closer on No. 5 St. Benilde (6-4) and No. 4 Letran (7-4).

“The players really worked hard, didn’t give up in the first OT and second OT. They really fought until the end,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara, who has steered his team to four wins in their last five games after starting the season with five losses in a row.

Earlier, Jose Rizal edged Emilio Aguinaldo, 69-63, to halt a three-game slide with a fourth win in 11 outings.

The Bombers have improved on their showing last season where they  finished dead last with a 3-15 card.

 Marwin Dionisio did most of the damage for EAC with a 13-point, 16-rebound effort while Agem Miranda had a team-high 16 points that made up for his seven turnovers.

“We had problems closing out games. Thankfully, we did a better job on this game,” said JRU mentor Louie Gonzalez.

The Generals dropped to 1-10.

San Beda went to Cameroonian Donald Tankoua down the stretch as it fended off a late Arellano University uprising and pulled off a 73-66 victory yesterday that extended its amazing streak to 11.

The scores:

First Game

Jose Rizal 69 – Miranda 16, Dionisio 13, Dela Rosa 11, Delos Santos 9, Amores 7, Aguilar 7, Arenal 6, Vasquez 0, Abaoag 0, Macatangay 0

EAC 63 – Maguliano 16, Mendoza 15, Cadua 7, Gurtiza 5, Corilla 4, Taywan 4, Luciano 3, Carlos 3, Estacio 2, De Guzman 2, Gonzales 2

Quarterscores: 13-16; 35-33; 52-50; 69-63

Second Game

Mapua 105 – Lugo 31, Gonzales 18, Victoria 13, Serrano 12, Hernandez 9, Nieles 9, Bonifacio 8, Bunag 5, Salenga 0, Aguirre 0, Jabel 0, Garcia 0, Nocum 0

Letran 101 – Yu 23, Ular 19, Balanza 17, Muyang 10, Batiller 10, Mina 7, Sangalang 5, Ambohot 4, Caralipio 4, Javillonar 2, Olivario 0, Balagasay 0, Reyson 0, Guarino 0

Quarterscores: 9-18; 34-37; 58-59; 80-80 (reg.); 89-89 (1OT); 105-101 (2OT)

Third Game

 San Beda 73 – Tankoua 20, Doliguez 12, Canlas 11, Nelle 8, Oftana 8, Soberano 6, Bahio 3, Cuntapay 3, Cariño 2, Abuda 0, Etrata 0, Alfaro 0, Noah 0.

Arellano 66  – Arana 23, Sablan 11, Talampas 10, Salado 10, Bayla 5, Oliva 4, Alcoriza 3, Concepcion 0, Gayosa 0, Espiritu 0, De Guzman 0, Sunga 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15; 40-31; 57-49; 73-66