Mbala stars in Archers win; Titans lord over Altas

MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle Green Archers and the Enderun Titans outplayed their rivals over the weekend to keep their semifinals slots in the 11th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Benoit Mbala, Abu Tratter and Julian Sargent came up with big baskets as they led the Green Archers to a 69-62 beating of the Letran Knights.

The Titans, led by Earvin Maravilla, held off the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the last four minutes for a  56-52 victory.

Both finished their elimination round assignment in Group B locked in a three-way tie with similar 6-2 win-loss records with the Altas.

None have earned any of the two semis berths yet, and they will have to wait for the outcome of the coming match between the National University Bulldogs and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

 The NU Bulldogs(5-2) are also in contention for a semis slot.

Mbala scored 25 points for the Green Archers, while Tratter and Sargent had 15 and 13 points apiece.

Maravilla showed the way for the Titans with 21 points, while Kamguia delivered 14.

Mbala had seven points in the first period as the Green Archers took a 16-10 lead.

As La Salle limited the Knights to six in the second quarter, Mabala tossed in eight points to help the Green Archers take a 32-16 halftime spread.