Cards try to remain at No. 4 vs Generals

Mapua seeks to keep its spot in the Magic Four as it faces Emilio Aguinaldo College in a crucial match in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Cardinals hacked out a shock 101- 97 overtime victory against the San Beda Lions last week to stay at No. 4 with an 8- 5 record and another win in their 2 p. m. encounter with the Generals will keep the Murallabased school in the semis hunt while keeping other contenders Jose Rizal U (9-6) and Letran ( 87) at bay.

Reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme, norming 16.8 points, 19.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, is again expected to lead Mapua’s charge along with the other locals and Fil-Nigerian Joseph Eriobu and Fil-Canadian CJ Isit.

Eriobu fired a career- high 26-point effort against San Beda while Isit scored eight of his 15 points in the stretch while shackling the prolific Fil-Am Davon Potts in overtime to help the Cardinals pull off the win.

“That’s what we need, players stepping up not just Allwell (Oraeme),” said Mapua coach Atoy Co.

But the Generals are no pushovers, hoping to score a follow-up to their reversals over the Bombers (63-60) last Aug. 30 and the Lyceum Pirates (78-76) last week for a 5-9 slate.

EAC still has a mathematical chance to force a playoff for the last semis berth with a sweep of its last four games while hoping any from Mapua, JRU and Letran won’t go over nine wins.

EAC coach Ariel Sison, however, is looking beyond the Final Four.

“We only have three players graduating this year, including two starters in Igee King and Remy Morada so this team still has a future,” said Sison.

Meanwhile, San Sebastian (5-10) and St. Benilde (0-14) face off in a non-bearing duel set at 4 p.m.