CSB escapes Chiefs on Lastimosa's birthday; Mapua boots out EAC in the race to the Final 4

St. Benilde went to Mark de Guzman when Carlo Lastimosa sputtered as it edged Arellano U, 71-69 to stay alive in the Final Four race in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

De Guzman sizzled with 19 points after struggling in their past few games to make up for on off game by Lastimosa, the league’s leading scorer but was held to just a season-low nine points.

“I’m happy for Mark because he really struggled in our last few matches,” said St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario. “I would like to give credit for Carlo because he took a step back to give his other teammates a chance.”

The Blazers thus nailed their fourth win against eight defeats that somehow breathe some life to their waning hopes of barging into the post-season.

St. Benilde’s win also sent idle San Sebastian (10-1), the defending champion, straight to the Final Four alongside unbeaten San Beda (11-0).

Adrian Celada led all scorers with 24 points but fouled out in the fourth quarter that helped hastened the downfall of the Chiefs, who fell to their seventh setback against four wins.

Trailing by just a hairline with 5.3 seconds to go, Arellano U had a chance to snatch the win but Jerald Lapuz missed two free throws allowing Luis dela Paz, who missed a pair of charities the play before, to snatch the rebound and give to de Guzman.

De Guzman missed the first foul shot but the second with 2.2 seconds to go, the time Vergel Zulueta, back from a one-game suspension, used to launch a desperation three-point heave from the backcourt that hit the side of the rim.

In juniors’ action, Mapua edged EAC, 76-71, to join Jose Rizal at No. 5 on 6-5 slates and remain in the Final Four hunt.

CSB, for its part, trounced Arellano U, 69-54, to notch its fifth win against seven setbacks.

Mapua bucked a sluggish start as it hacked out a 74-65 victory yesterday to solidify its stranglehold of the fourth spot in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Erwin Cornejo fired 15 points while Allan Mangahas scattered 12 points to seal the Cardinals their seventh win against four losses while creating a full, three-game distance from No. 5 Arellano U (4-7).

The Generals suffered their 10th defeat against two triumphs, completely dashing their Final Four hopes.

The ScoresL
CSB 71- de Guzman 19, dela Paz 11, Lastimosa 9, Nayve 7, Tan 7, McCoy 4, Wong 4, Argamino 4, Abolucion 3, Sinco 2, Manalac 1, Amin 0
Arellano U 69- Celada 24, Ciriacruz 12, Lapuz 8, Zulueta 7, del Rosario 4, Caperal 4, Acidre 4, Anquilo 4, Palma 2
Quarterscores: 15-26; 37-34; 53-56; 71-69

Mapua 74- Cornejo 15, Mangahas 12, Guillermo 9, Pascual 8, Sarangay 7, Acosta 7, Stevens 5, Banal 5, Parala 4, Ighalo 2, Ranises 0
EAC 65- Cubo 15, Jamon 14, Vargas 13, Mendoza 10, Lapitan 3, Chiong 2, Santos 2, Tuazon 2, R. Yaya 2, L. Yaya 2, Diolanto 0, Villegas 0
Quarterscores: 8-17; 33-23; 59-43; 74-65