BY ABBY TORALBA
MAPUA University trounced San Sebastian College 70-63 yesterday to remain on top in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Warren Bonifacio finished a rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds for the Cardinals, while Marc Cuenco added 12 markers.
Jopet Soriano also had 11 points for Mapua, which atoned for an 82-86 loss to Lyceum last Friday and rose to 10-3 in a tie with the Pirates.
The Golden Stags fell to 4-9.
Romel Calahat led San Sebastian with 18 points, while Tristan Felebrico had 12.
Earlier, Lyceum pulled off an 85-79 victory over also-ran reigning three-time champion Letran.
In the first game, San Beda University whipped Emilio Aguinaldo College 81-71 for its eighth win in 12 games.
Enoch Valdez dropped an 18-point game along with nine caroms for the Pirates, while Mclaude Guadana also shone with 18 markers.
John Bravo finished with 17 points for Lyceum.
The Knights reeled to their 12th loss against one win.
“Ewan ko ba bakit ganoon lagi iyong team namin, laging sa fourth quarter, second half, puwede naman gawin sa first half, pero honestly speaking, siguro nasanay na lang din iyong mga players ko sa ganoon,” Pirates coach Gilbert Malabanan said. “But I like the way they play in the second half. I always remind them that we treat Letran as a contender, lahat ng kalaban namin contender kasi ayaw namin na nagre-relax kami.
“Ang sabi ko, papunta sa playoffs, hindi tayo puwedeng maging ganito, kampante. Dapat start ng first quarter to fourth quarter same energy tayo,” he added.
Vince Cuajao and Kobe Monje registered 24 and 20 points, respectively, for Letran.
Jacob Cortez tallied a team-high 15 points, while James Payosing scored 14 along with eight boards for the Red Lions.
Clifford Jopia and Aaron Royo had 11 apiece, while Jomel Puno had a double-double outing of 11 markers and 10 rebounds for San Beda.
The triumph allowed the Lions to forge a tie with College of St. Benilde with 8-4 cards.
The General dropped to 7-6
Nat Cosejo paced EAC with 18 markers and eight rebounds, while Ralph Robin, King Gurtiza and JP Maguliano got 14, 10, and 10 points, respectively.
