Lions shred Cardinals to remain unscathed in 4 games
Javee Mocon shone as San Beda University stayed unbeaten at the expense of Mapua University, 88-70, in Season 94 National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Mocon finished with a game-high double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds on top of four assists and three steals to power the second-running Red Lions to their fourth win in as many outings.
“Javee really played well today. He almost got a triple-double. Good job to my players,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.
Cameroonian big man Donald Tankoua chalked 17 points and seven rebounds, playmaker Robert Bolick tallied 11 points, eight assists and four boards while Calvin Oftana chipped in 10 markers in the blowout victory.
RED LIONS ROAR Javee Mocon (No. 9) of San Beda University scores via layup past Justin Serrano of Mapua University during the Season 94 NCAA seniors basketball tournament on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City. San Beda won 88-70 to stay unbeaten in four games. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA
Defending champion San Beda dished out a season-high 18 assists after averaging 8.3 dimes in their firs three wins.
“Actually, we’re really looking to play as a team and share the ball. It’s just like we have to make our shots,” said Fernandez.
The Lions roared to an early 18-point lead but the Cardinals responded with a 25-point eruption in the second quarter to force a close fight, 42-46, at halftime.
San Beda reclaimed the lead, 66-54, at the 2:33 mark of the third period after Clint Doliguez hit a triple and Bolick buried a basket.
Freshman center Warren Bonifacio sank a trey to cut Mapua’s deficit down to 61-68 early in the final frame.
But rookie guard Evan Nelle drove for a layup and drained a three-pointer before Bolick converted his free throws to restore an 80-65 lead for the Lions with 3:19 left, keeping the Cardinals at bay.
Bonifacio had a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds while Cedric Pelayo had 15 markers for Mapua.
The career-best output of Bonifacio and Pelayo were not enough to save the Cardinals from falling. Mapua is now sharing No. 6 with College of St. Benilde that is holding a similar 2-3 slate.
In the second game, Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) outlasted San Sebastian College-Recoletos in overtime, 79-77, to notch its breakthrough win.
Hamadou Laminou and Jerome Garcia shot a free throw apiece as the Generals sealed their maiden triumph after a four-game losing start.
“To be honest, last night I thought if we would not win today, I will resign. Thank God we did it,” said EAC head coach Ariel Sison.
Rookie forward JP Maguliano, a transferee from Adamson University, sizzled with 30 points and 17 rebounds while Cameroonian center Laminou and Garcia added 13 markers apiece for the No. 9 Generals.
Michael Calisaan, Allyn Bulanadi and Alvin Capobres all had double-double efforts for San Sebastian. Calisaan had 23 points, Bulanadi had 14 markers and Capobres had 13 as the three of them pulled down 10 boards.
The Golden Stags were left stuck at No. 8 after absorbing their second straight loss and fourth overall against two wins.
Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines University (5-0) is aiming to extend its lead against No. 4 University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (2-1) at press time.
The scores:
First game
SAN BEDA (88)– Mocon 22, Tankoua 17, Bolick 11, Oftana 10, Kwekuteye 9, Doliguez 6, Tongco 6, Nelle 5, Eugene 2, Carino 0, Cuntapay 0.
MAPUA (70)– Bonifacio 19, Pelayo 15, Lugo 8, Serrano 7, Gamboa 6, Victoria 5, Jabel 5, Bunag 2, Aguirre 2, Salenga 1, Biteng 0, Pajarillo 0, Carandang 0.
Quarterscores: 30-17; 46-42; 68-58; 88-70
Second game
EAC (79)– Maguliano 30, Laminou 13, Garcia 13, Gonzales 7, Mendoza 4, Bugarin 4, Bautista 2, Cruz 2, Diego 2, Robin 2, Tampoc 0, Natividad 0.
SAN SEBAS TIAN (77)– Calisaan 23, Bulanadi 14, Capobres 13, Dela Cruz 8, Villapando 7, Calma 7, Sumoda 4, Valdez 1, Are 0, Baytan 0, Desoyo 0, Arciaga 0.
Quarterscores: 12-19; 28-37; 48-55; 69-69; 79-77 (OT)
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