Letran dodges Mapua's upset ax

MANILA, Philippines – Letran found redemption from an unexpected source in the fourth quarter as it survived an upset-conscious Mapua, 77-70, to remain at the helm in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Saturday.

Averaging just three points a game, John Jovit Tambeling, a 20-year-old rookie out of Misamis Oriental, erupted for eight early in the fourth quarter, sparking the run that gave the Knights enough cushion to preserve the win, their ninth against a loss, and stay atop the heap.

Tambeling though was ejected though after he swung an elbow that hit Mapua's Darrel Dave Magisgay with 7.12 minutes left in the game.

Thankfully, he had done his work.

Kevin Racal, still hurting from a sprained ankle he sustained in the third quarter of his team's 74-67 win over San Beda at the MOA Arena last week, had a breakout game with season-highs 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Letran coach Caloy Garcia said he's happy his team is winning tough games.

"The nice thing about close games is you learn a lot. The nice thing is, we're winning those close games," he said.

Coming into this game as the underdogs after finishing the first round with a 1-8 (win-loss) card, the Cardinals dictated the pace early as they led the whole of first half as Kenneth Ighalo, Mark Brana and Joseph Eriobu took turns in staying ahead of the Knights.

Mapua still led its Intramuros neighbor late in the third period, 56-54, thanks to a basket by Eriobu with over a minute to go in the quarter.

It turned out to be its last hurrah as Letran scored four straight points to close the third canto with a 58-56 lead before Tambeling sparked the telling run with his eight-point bing he lit with a pair of booming triples.

Raymond Almazan, who led everyone in the MVP race after the first round, chipped in 16 while Tambeling wound up with 13 points.

Mark Cruz, who didn't start because of flu-like symptoms, ended up playing minimal minutes and finished with six points.

Ighalo and Brana paced the Cardinals with 19 and 15 points, respectively, while Eriobu, back after getting benched in their last game due to disciplinary actions, scattered 13 but their efforts were not enough to prevent them from absorbing a ninth defeat against a win.

The scores:

First Game

Letran (77) -- Racal 23, Almazan 16, Tambeling 13, Cruz 6, Ruaya 4, Nambatac 4, Buenaflor 4, Gabawan 3, Castro 2, Belorio 2, Po 0, Luib 0, Olotu 0, Publico 0.

Mapua (70) -- Ighalo 19, Brana 15, Eriobu 13, Biteng 7, Magsigay 6, Gabo 4, Isit 3, Layug 2, Cantos 1, Gonzalez 0, Estrella 0.

Quarters: 17-20, 37-40, 58-56, 77-70.