Mangahas sizzled as Mapua locks solo third; EAC keeps Altas at bay for 2nd win

MAPUA went thru the wringer before nipping College of Saint Benilde in overtime, 65-63, and snatch solo third place in the NCAA seniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.

Playing their third game in five days, the Blazers showed no signs of being weary by slugging it out with Cardinals from wire to wire.

But St. Benilde failed to score a stunner against Mapua with Mark de Guzman missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.

The Cardinals improved to 5-2 slate to inch closer in equaling their last year’s 6-win record.

On the other hand, the Blazers capped their tiring week with a 1-5 mark. The Taft-based cagers were winless in this stretch.

“It was a very intense and close ballgame. Hats off to St. Benilde, they really prepared well for this game,” said Mapua mentor Chito Victolero.

“Kahit pagod na sila, playing for their third game in a week, inilabas yug pinakamaganda nilang laro ng season,” he added.

Allan Mangahas collected a personal season-high of 25 points, on top on four rebounds, three assists and three steals while Macky Acosta added 11 points for the Cardinals.

Mapua slotman Mark Sarangay also delivered, hauling down a season -best 21 caroms.

Blazers guard Carlo Lastimosa sent the game in extra period after sinking a three-pointer from the corner in the last 12.3 seconds of regulation.

A jumper by Jan Tan gave St. Benilde its last taste of the lead, 61-60, before Mangahas banged in a go-ahead triple and Sarangay split his charities for Mapua to take a three-point buffer, with 57.3 ticks left.

The Blazers inched closer to 63-64 after De Guzman connected a drive before the Cardinals went 1-of-2 again from the free throw area courtesy of Acosta for a 65-63 advantage, with 8.5 seconds remaining.

Lastimosa shot 21 points while Tan added 13 points and 10 boards for St. Benilde.

In high school play, Perpetual Help Junior Altas, starring Josh Alolino with 26 points, improved to 5-2 slate in second with a 70-59 triumph over EAC Brigadiers.

Rodolfo Alejandro had 23 markers as the Mapua Red Robins tripped CSB-La Salle Greenhills, 72-68, for their fourth win in seven games.

In the other game, Emilio Aguinaldo College overhauled a 15-point first half deficit to score a 78-66 win over Perpetual Help.

“I’m glad that my players found their winning ways. We learned our lessons from our loss to Mapua,” said Generals coach Nomar Isla.

EAC hiked its record to 2-4 to a tie with Arellano University and Letran in fifth spot.

“Our goal right now is to spring more surprises and end the first round on the bright note,” said Isla.

Emilian Vargas had another solid game with 21 points, six boards and four assists, while Claude Cubo had 19 points and career-best 18 rebounds for the Generals.

Arnold Danganan and Justine Alano scored 14 points apiece while Jet Vidal added 12 points for the Altas, who failed to sustain their 26-11 second quarter lead and suffer a seventh consecutive setback.

The scores:

Third Game (Srs)
MIT (65) - Mangahas 25, Acosta 11, Sarangay 8, Cornejo 6, Parala 5, Banal 4, Guillermo 4, Maniego 2, Stevens 0, Ranises 0.
CSB (63) - Lastimosa 21, Tan 13, De Guzman 9, Mañalac 9, Wong 5, Abolucion 3, Sinco 2, Amin 1, McCoy 0, Nayve 0, Dela Paz 0.
QS: 16-18; 29-33; 49-47; 59-59; 65-63

Fourth Game (Srs)
EAC (78) - Vargas 21, Cubo 19, Mendoza 9, Yaya L. 8, Yaya R. 7, Tuazon 6, Chiong 5, Santos 3, Diolanto 0, Jamon 0, Lapitan 0, Sanchez 0.
UPHSD (66) - Danganan 14, Alano 14, Vidal 12, Ynion 11, Allen 5, Arboleda 5, Sumera 4, Elopre 1, Asuncion 0, Jolangcob 0, Kintanar 0, Sison 0.
QS: 11-21; 33-36; 53-58; 78-66