Knights, Cardinals gain playoff for semis berths

Letran and Mapua pulled off hard-earned victories over Philippine Christian U and Jose Rizal, respectively, yesterday to gain at least a playoff for Final Four berths in the 84th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Astrodome.

The Knights toughened up on defense down the stretch and leaned on the clutch free throws of RJ Jazul to turn back the Dolphins, 60-54, and notch their ninth win in 13 games for second spot.

The Cardinals later drew strength from Allan Mangahas and Kelvin dela Peña to turn back the Bombers, 72-61, and force a three-way tie for third with the idle San Sebastian Stags and their victims.

San Beda advanced to the semis ahead of everybody else with a 10-3 card for the twice-to-beat edge.

The Lions battle the Knights in the final day of elimination on Wednesday with the latter eyeing a victory and the No. 2 slot for the twice-to-beat incentive.

A Letran loss, however, will create a four-way tie for second.

Dela Peña, the reigning MVP, shackled Mac Cagoco all game and held the top JRU scorer to just three points while finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

Mangahas, for his part, delivered the killer blows by pouring in 12 of his game-high 22 points in the last four minutes of the match, including a pair of triples that broke the backs of the Bombers.

The Knights, for their part, thwarted the Dolphins in the stretch and then Jazul pumped in six points in the closing seconds to escape with the win.