NCAA 87: Letran nips Mapua in OT, stays in the hunt for semis incentive

Free throws helped keep Letran College’s hopes of earning one of the top two spots in the semifinals alive as the Knights nipped Mapua in overtime, 69-67, in the second round of the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament Wedensday at The Arena in San Juan City. Regulation ended at 60-60 as Letran swept Mapua for the first time this season since 2009. Three straight free throws, two by Kevin Alas, in the final 17 seconds secured the Knights’ 10th win in 12 games to remain half-a-game behind No. 2 San Beda (10-1) while the Cardinals dropped to a 6-7 slate but still occupy the fourth spot. Mapua is only one game ahead of the 5-7 cards of College Saint Benilde and Lyceum for the last semis berth. Alas’ two charities and Mark Cruz’s split free throw sandwiched Allan Mangahas’ two foul shots for a 69-67 count with 6.1 seconds left in the game. That became the final tally as Josan Nimes missed on his off-balanced three-point attempt at the buzzer. Alas, held scoreless in the third, made 11 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth and even drained a three-pointer in regulation to send the game into overtime. He also had four rebounds, five assists, five steals and blocked one shot. Letran center Raymund Almazan added 14 points, eight rebounds and blocked five shots. Filipino-Palestinian Yousef Taha led Mapua’s losing cause with 18 points and 14 rebounds. "I knew this was going to be a tough game. In terms of personnel, Mapua should have been the No. 3 team in the standings since they have a deeper bench. But I have to credit the boys. They played great defense for the entire 45 minutes on the floor," said Letran coach Louie Alas. Earlier in the junior division, Mapua-Malayan High School also stayed in the hunt for a Final Four berth after scoring a 73-67 win over Letran. Rodolfo Alejandro and Ace Basas combined for 49 points while Ian Valdez contributed 11 markers, 13 rebounds and nine assists as the Red Robins improves to 8-5 and are now half-a-game behind No. 4 Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers (8-4). Rey Nambatac tallied 26 points for the Squires, who dropped to 9-3 to join CSB-La Salle Greenhills. The Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, already out of Final Four contention, escaped with a 50-48 win over the San Sebastian Staglets to improve to 4-8. The Staglets are now 6-6 in the standings. – JVP, GMA News