Angeles, Ekwe boost Lions past Cardinals

San Beda leaned on the outside shooting of Alex Angeles and drew another big game by Nigerian Samuel Ekwe as it smashed Mapua, 69-55, yesterday to join Philippine Christian U at second place in the 82nd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

After so-so stints in the first three games, Angeles finally found his shooting touch as he unleashed five triples to finish with 15 points while Ekwe dominated the paint again with 11 points, 13 boards and a season-high six shot blocks to power the Lions to their third victory in four games.

Idle Letran, the defending champion, shows the way with a 3-0 slate.

"We stayed focused and we were able to make the necessary stops," said San Beda coach Koy Banal, who had to rush to the Astrodome to join Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio in Game 2 of their PBA title duel with Red Bull.

For a while, the Cardinals, one of the pre-season favorites, appeared ready to engage the Lions in a tough, physical contest as they trailed by just three points, 30-33, at the turn.

But Angeles fired away from the outside while the long-limbed, high-leaping Ekwe made his move inside as San Beda, seeking a 28-year title drought, broke away from a tight game to pull away, 56-40.

Kelvin dela Peña, last year’s top rookie, paced Mapua with 15 points as the Cardinals reeled to their second setback against a lone victory.

Earlier, San Sebastian leaned on Jim Viray and Red Vicente as it rallied to beat St. Benilde, 89-85, in overtime and snap a two-game skid.

Held down to just a combined 17 points in a 73-81 loss to the Letran Knights Monday, Viray and Vicente fired 23 and 21 points, respectively, this time to power the Stags to their second win against three losses.

The duo also drew support from the bench headed by Jimbo Aquino and Gilbert Bulawan.

Aquino, a sophomore from Tarlac, had 16 points, including nine from behind the arc, seven rebounds and six assists while Bulawan, a high-leaping rookie from Legaspi, Albay, chipped in eight points and had four shot blocks.

"We started slow but we recovered in time with a good defense," said San Sebastian coach Raymond Valenzona in Filipino.

It was the Blazers’ third setback against a win.