Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — San Beda rode on Arthur dela Cruz’s all-around effort as it outlasted Jose Rizal University (JRU), 88-69, to close in on leader Letran in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan on Thursday (August 6).
Dela Cruz, who is applying for this year’s PBA rookie draft, was just all over the place and finished with 29 points, nine assists and four steals–all season-highs–to propel the Lions to their sixth win in seven outings, half a game behind the Knights (7-0).
“He played big for us,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin of dela Cruz.
Up by just two, 58-56, dela Cruz took charge and teamed up with Roldan Sara as the Lions outscored the Bombers in the final period, 30-13, to seal the deal.
Jose Rizal fell to 4-3.
In the second game, Nigerian Bright Akhuetie exploded in the fourth quarter as Perpetual downed Arellano University, 76-66, to move up to third with a 5-2 slate.
The 6-8 Akhuetie rammed his way to 16 points in the last period on his way to a 31-point performance.
The Chiefs skidded to 4-3.
Meanwhile, league commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal suspended coaches Aldin Ayo of Letran and Atoy Co of Mapua for “unbecoming and disrespect of the game.”
Mapua guard Andretti Stevens was also suspended for a game for a pair of technical fouls while Lyceum big man Joseph Gabayni will also miss out his next game for a disqualification foul.
Ayo’s suspension came from a pair of stern warnings–first for ridiculing the referees by showing sunglasses in a game against San Sebastian a month ago and the other for throwing a monobloc chair outside the dugout after a foul called on McJour Luib midway in the fourth quarter against Lyceum last week.
Co, for his part, was slapped with two technical fouls for too much complaining and for undressing his upper shirt and waiving it to the crowd during a duel with Lyceum.
“We’re just protecting the integrity of the league,” said Cristobal.
