Basketball
Intense defense lifts Mapua to rout over Arellano
InterAKTV/Justin Gener
Mapua broke loose from a deadlock with Arellano in the team standings after a 68-49 whipping Thursday in NCAA Season 88 action at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Cardinals allowed the Chiefs to score just three points in the fourth quarter, all from the free throw line.
The game was extra special for Jonathan Banal, who was going up against his father, Arellano coach Koy Banal, for the first time in his career. The younger Banal finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists.
“Masaya ako dahil nanalo kami pero malungkot din dahil siyempre, natalo ang daddy ko,” said Jonathan. “Sa dorm ako umuuwi the past week kaya through text lang kami nagkakausap ni dad prior to today’s game. Na-challenge ako lalo today dahil I wanted to prove something to my dad.”
Mapua started on fire, taking a 14-2 lead, as Jonathan came out with extra motivation with his whole family, including his mother and siblings, in attendance. He scored 11 points in the first half to lead Mapua to a 33-26 advantage at the half.
But Rocky Acidre caught fire in the third quarter, tallying 15 points in the period to cut the Mapua lead to just four points, before Mapua put the clamps in the fourth quarter.
Mike Parala, a native of Cabuyao, Laguna, led the Cardinals with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
“Pag practice, ginagawa ko na din yung ganun na shots tapos kunwari may bantay ako. Laging ganun, and pumapasok mga tira kaya confident na ako pag sa laro,” he said.
“I’m happy with the big shots he hit down the stretch dahil crucial yung mga yun,” said Mapua coach Chito Victolero. “Sabi ko, masyadong mataas yung points na binibigay natin nung second and third (quarter) kaya trinabaho ng mga bata nung fourth.”
Mapua ended the first round with back-to-back victories for a 4-5 win-loss card, while the Chiefs’ record dropped to 3-6 in a tie with College of Saint Benilde.
Gab Banal, a son of coach Joel Banal and nephew of Koy, also had a good game with 10 points and four rebounds for the Cardinals.
The Scores:
Mapua (68) — Parala 21, J. Banal 16, G. Banal 10, Nimes 10, Ighalo 6, Chien 3, Cantos 2, Eriobu 0, Saitanan 0, Braña 0.
Arellano (49) — Acidre 20, Bangga 7, Caperal 5, Pinto 4, Hernandez 4, Salcedo 4, Cadavis 3, Forrester 2, Zulueta 0.
Quarterscores: 15-10, 33-26, 50-46, 68-49
