Rookie lifts Knights past Cardinals

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

4 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Arellano U

6 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs St. Benilde

MANILA, Philippines - Letran found an unlikely hero in rookie John Jovit Tambeling as it overcame a fierce-fighting Mapua side, 77-70, to remain at the helm in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Averaging just three points a game, Tambeling, a 20-year-old freshman from Misamis Oriental, sparked a crucial fourth-quarter run carrying the Knights to a ninth win in 10 games.

Tambeling, who scored eight of his 13 points early in the fourth quarter, failed to finish the game though, ejected after an elbow foul on Darrel Dave Magigay.

Kevin Racal, though still nursing a sprained ankle he sustained in the third quarter of their 74-67 win over San Beda at the MOA Arena last week, delivered personal season highs of 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Letran coach Caloy Garcia said he’s happy they’re winning tough, close games.

“The nice thing about close games is you learn a lot. The nice thing is we’re winning those close games,” he said.

The Cardinals actually set the pace early on as Kenneth Ighalo, Mark Brana and Joseph Eriobu took turns in delivering the goods.

Mapua was still ahead at 56-54 late in the third period before Letran unleashed a run to surge ahead.

Tambeling sparked the telling run with an eight-point binge including a pair of booming triples.

Raymond Almazan chipped in 16.

Mark Cruz, who didn’t start because of flu-like symptoms, played minimal minutes and finished with six points.

Ighalo and Brana paced the Cardinals with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

In the nightcap, San  Beda outlasted first round tormentor Lyceum, 81-63, to move up to solo second place with an 8-2 card.

The Pirates fell to 3-7.