Cardinals, Knights force KO tiffs

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua and Letran lived to fight another day after trouncing their respective foes in a pair of critical quarterfinal matches yesterday in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Cardinals dominated the St. Benilde Blazers, 73-58, while the Knights overcame a timid start and smothered the Arellano U Chiefs, 87-78, to force do-or-die showdowns tomorrow at the same San Juan venue.

The winners will advance to the best-of-three semifinals unfurling early next month.

“I just told my teammates last night (Tuesday), we should play hard because we don’t want to cry anymore after experiencing losing last season,” said Letran big man Kevin Santos, who dropped 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

The Cardinals had the same mind set. “We prepared ourselves in practice physically and mentally,” said Mapua cog Cyril Gonzales.