Altas cagers hasten drive for twice-to-beat edge

THE PERPETUAL Help Altas pushed their bid for one of the twice-to-beat bonuses in the Final Four after they thwarted the hapless Mapua Cardinals, 73-65, in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

The win gave the Altas an 11-3 (win-loss) record and pushed them half-a-game behind the reigning champions San Beda Red Lions. The Cardinals, on the other hand, fell to their 11th loss in a row and a league-worst 1-12 mark.

Leading Rookie of the Year candidate Juneric Baloria finished with 18 points while MVP contender Harold Arboleda shored his campaign with 17 points. Scottie Thompson added 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

BOX SCORES:

Perpetual (73) — Baloria 18, Arboleda 17, Thompson 13, Alano 12, Omorogbe 5, Elopre 5, Bitoy 3, Dizon 0, Bantayan 0, Lucente 0, Jolangcob 0.

Mapua (65) — Brana 19, Biteng 18, Isit 10, Ighalo 8, Magsigay 4, Saitanan 4, Estrella 2, Gabo 0, Eriobu 0, Gonzalez 0, Cantos 0.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio