Cards remain on track for semis

MANILA, Philippines - Mark Sarangay plucked two offensive rebounds down the stretch and made two clutch charities as Mapua survived Perpetual Help, 65-62, to remain in the Final Four race in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Fil-Palestinian Yousef Taha’s basket off an alley-oop pass by fellow rookie Fil-Aussie Josan Nimes shoved the Cardinals to a 63-62 edge before Sarangay preserved the lead – and the victory – with two free throws in the last 10 seconds of the contest.

The win was Mapua’s fifth against six losses as it moved within fourth running Lyceum (5-5) in what promises to be a wild chase for the last semis berth.

“We’re considering our remaining games as do-or-die,” said Mapua coach Chito Victolero, whose wards’ first round win over Perpetual Help was also a cliffhanger, 65-63, last Aug. 15.

Earlier, Arellano U blew hot and cold and then went on a rampage again in the fourth quarter as it repulsed Emilio Aguinaldo, 78-70, to likewise stay in the hunt with a 4-7 slate.

Nimes fired a game-high 21 points, his third straight 20-plus point game, while Allan Mangahas and Taha tossed in 12 points apiece.

The 6-6 Sarangay finished with only four points but came through with two offensive rebounds following four missed charities by Jason Pascual and Nimes. In the last play, he was hacked by Harold Arboleda and sank two pressure-packed shots that gave the Cardinals a three-point cushion.

Jet Vidal hit five triples for Perpetual but his game-trying attempt was way off the mark, the ball landing on Anthony Paulino’s hands, whose under the basket try was blocked by Pascual.

“It was another close win for us but we’ll take it,” said Victolero.

The Altas fell to their 10th loss in 12 games.