La Salle, Arellano post wins to stay on track for semis slots

MANILA, Philippines – The La Salle Green Archers, the Arellano University Chiefs and the San Beda Red Cubs came up with contrasting victories Sunday to remain in contention for semifinal berths in the 11th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament.

Free throws from Julian Sargent and Benoit Mbala in the dying seconds enabled the Green Archers to escape with 60-69 beating of the Enderun Colleges Titans at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Renzy Busa fired 13 points for the Arellano University Chiefs, who turned back the San Sebastian College Stags.

Fil-Jordanian Sam Abuhijleh and Kenneth Alas tallied 16 and 15 points for the Red Cubs, who walloped the Malayan (Mapua) High School Red Robins, 86-68, in the junior action.

Sargent shot 19 points while Mustapah Haruna had 16 and Mbala made 13 for the Green Archers, who posted their fourth win in six games in Group B.

The Green Archers and the Titans both have the same record in third spot, and they stayed in contention for semis seats in their bracket with University of Perpetual Help Altas (5-1), the National University Bulldogs (5-2) and the San Beda Red Lions (4-1).

The Chiefs hiked their slate to 4-2 in Group A, and they are behind the Ateneo Blue Eagles (5-1) and the unbeaten Lyceum Pirates (5-0).

The Red Cubs moved two games closer to an eight-game sweep of Group with the Adamson Falcons, and both are top contenders for semis slots in their bracket.

The Titans were ahead in the final minute when Mbala and Sargent scored from the free throw line in the last 8.6 seconds.

Defensive plays by Haruna as the clocked winded down kept the Titans from making a final attempt.