Cardinals zero in on Final 4

MAPUA weathered the stubborn challenge of Perpetual Help and pulled off a 79-72 victory yesterday to inch closer to the Final Four in the 86th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Allan Mangahas scored 24 points behind a nine-of-13 shooting clip, while Rodel Ranises rediscovered his touch by draining all his four attempts from beyond the arc to chip in 15 points as the Cardinals sealed their eighth win in 13 games.

Mapua, which also drew an all-around effort from 6’6” Mark Sarangay with 12 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a block, needs to win at least two of its last three games to nail the fourth and final ticket to the semis.

“We know we’re not in for a picnic because it’s hard to play a team with nothing to lose,” said Mapua coach Chito Victolero, whose team also struggled last season and was eventually eliminated from the Final Four.

The Cardinals missed the services of defensive-minded guard Andretti Stevens, who was out the rest of the season after tearing an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in a loss to the San Beda Lions (12-0) the last time out.

The Altas fell to their 13th straight setback.

Meanwhile, San Sebastian College went to Calvin Abueva and John Raymundo in the fourth quarter to hammer out a come-from-behind 59-58 victory over Letran and close in on the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

The Stags clinched their 12th win in 13 outings.

“They’re two of the keys to our victory, they stepped up big in the fourth quarter,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, who missed the services of Ronald Pascual due to fever.

The Knights, who were led by Kevin Alas’ 14 points, fell to their eighth setback against five wins and one loss away from Final Four elimination.

San Sebastian, for its part, would need just a win to forge a playoff for a twice-to-beat edge and two to clinch it.

In juniors’ action, Perpetual Help downed Mapua, 88-76, and San Sebastian turned back Letran, 78-68, to remain at joint second place on 9-4 slates.

Joshua Alino sizzled with 27 points to lead the Junior Altas, while the Staglets went to most valuable player race candidate Gino Jumao-as’ 18-point effort in fashioning out the win.

The Squires fell from solo second spot to fourth after sustaining their fifth setback against eight wins while the Red Robins succumbed to their seventh defeat against six triumphs.

Manila Standard Today