Near-brawl almost spoils Chiefs' win over Cards

A near free-for-all almost spoiled Arellano University big man Ronnel Del Rosario and the Chiefs' celebration in the 86th NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Del Rosario, who was celebrating his 23rd birthday on Friday, scored a team high 21 points to help the Leo Isaac-coached Chiefs pull off a 76-72 win over the Mapua Cardinals at The Arena in San Juan City. But Arellano's victory, its second straight that hiked the Legarda-based cagers' record to 4-5, was overshadowed by a near brawl between the two teams at center court just when players and coaches from both squads where congratulating each other for a well-played match. The incident started during an earlier foul committed by Arellano forward Adrian Celada against Mapua's Andretti Stevens in the final seconds of the match. Celada and Stevens continued their exchange of words even when the final buzzer sounded prompting the Arellano bench, led by rookie Vergel Zulueta, to approach them at center court. As both benches emptied, Arellano benchwarmer Erwin Catapang threw the game ball towards Mapua rookie guard Raymark Cabrera but instead hit Allan Mangahas before venue security, league officials and commissioner Aric del Rosario intervened to pacify the players from both squads. Aside from Celada and Stevens, who last year got into a near fight with a player from guest team Angeles University Foundation, Mark Sarangay and Jerald Lapuz also figured in some rough plays inside the shaded lane. "Kung kelan pa nagkakamayan na, dun pa nagkagulo," said Isaac, who ironically played against his alma mater that he led to a title in 1981 as a cager and he coached during the 2006-08 seasons. Minutes after the incident, the NCAA Management Committee slapped two-game suspensions each on Arellano's Erwin Catapang and Mapua's Raymark Cabrera for instigating a fight while Zulueta will be missing one game for his involvement. Mapua was hoping to duplicate its 73-51 rout of Arellano on July 16 and earn a needed win that would somehow secure its place in the Final Four. But Arellano has other plans. The Chiefs' leaned on Del Rosario's game-long brilliance to move one game behind the Cardinals (5-4) for the last semis berth. Averaging only 2.8 points and 8.1 rebounds, Del Rosario scored 21 on 10-of-12 shooting while grabbing six rebounds in 35 minutes. "He (del Rosario) was one of those twist in surprising Mapua," said Isaac. "I guess the luck was on his side since it's his birthday." Celada also provided the usual load for Arellano with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals while rookie Rocky Acidre added 11 markers, three boards and two assists. Lapuz, who was named the NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week, had eight points, nine rebounds and five steals, including one that led to a three-point play by Isiah Ciriacruz for a 68-56 lead with 6:17 left in the game. Erwin Cornejo was the lone double-digit scorer for the Cardinals with 29 markers and nine boards while Allan Mangahas, Jason Pascual was held to eight points each. Macky Acosta was scoreless the entire game. "We already devised a defensive game plan for them during our preparation for this game and it worked," Isaac said. In the juniors division, Mark Cruz collected 25 points as the Letran Squires defused the JRU Light Bombers, 86-75, to join their victims at 6-3. Andoy Estrella and Rodolfo Alejandro combined for 29 points to lead the Mapua Red Robins to a 74-52 rout of the Arellano U Baby Chiefs for their fifth win in nine games. - JVP, GMANews.TV