By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Mapua University Cardinals relied on a huge second quarter breakaway to defeat the Arellano University Chiefs, 79-65, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball at the San Juan Arena on Wednesday, October 18.
Warren Bonifacio led the way with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Kobe Dalisay and JC Recto added 12 markers apiece as the Cardinals stayed on top with a 7-1 win-loss slate.
From a slim 16-15 lead after the first two quarters, the Cardinals created separation from the Chiefs in the second quarter behind Bonifacio and Clint Escamis for a 43-30 halftime lead.
That lead went up to as high as 25 points in the third quarter when Andrei Igliane buried a basket for a 63-38 advantage.
The Chiefs attempted to come close but only managed to trim it to 14.
Lars Sunga finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Danielle Mallari added 10 points as the Chiefs remained in last place in the standings with a 1-7 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, three-time defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights has finally barged into the win column after an 86-71 rout of the San Sebastian College Golden Stags.
Even with the absence of team captain Kurt Reyson, the Knights went on a scoring blast in the second quarter behind Kobe Monje and Nicko Fajardo as they established a 44-24 halftime lead.
It later went up to as high as 26 points at 50-24 on a three-pointer by Monje, but the Stags responded with a furious 22-1 blast behind Romel Calahat as they trimmed the deficit to five, 46-51.
The Knights answered back with a 15-4 rally, capped by a halfcourt shot from Rico Bojorcelo, as they widened the lead to 67-50 after three quarters. It grew to 72-52 in the final quarter after another triple from Bojorcelo.
Vince Cuajao spearheaded the offense with 14 points, Neil Guarino and Monje added 13 markers apiece, while Kevin Santos hauled in 13 rebounds to go with seven points for the Knights, 1-7.
MAPUA 79 — Bonifacio 14, Recto 12, Dalisay 12, Escamis 9, Cuenco 8, Hernandez 6, Igliane 5, Rosillo 4, Bancale 3, Asuncion 3, Sabsalon 3, Fornis 0.
ARELLANO 65 — Sunga 16, Mallari 10, Talampas 8, Geronimo 7, Capulong 6, Valencia 5, Abastillas 5, Ongotan 2, Rosalin 2, Yanes 2, Tan 2, Dayrit 0, Villarente 0, Dela Cruz 0, Lustina 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 43-30, 65-45, 79-65./ASC, WDJ