Chiefs, Mariners stay at Martin Cup helm

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano U and Philippine Merchant Marine School trampled their respective rivals to stay on top of their respective groups in the 12th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament at the FEU gym in Morayta last weekend.

Donald Gumaru fired 12 points as the Chiefs rolled past the UE Warriors, 93-76, to stretch their win run to four in Group B while the Mariners drew a combined 29-point output from Jess Quilatan and Reggie Debulco to beat the Manuel L. Quezon U Stallions, 66-58, and notch their fourth win in row in Group A.

In the other game, the Mapua Cardinals, with Dennel Aguirre shooting 17 points, turned back the FEU Tams, 85-64, for a 2-1 card.

The Chiefs drew nine points from Michael Canete in the third period as they turned a shaky 40-37 halftime lead in a 72-52 bulge en route to their runaway triumph.

The Mariners also never looked back after they took a 51-46 lead at the end of the third off two charities from Robin Villamayor and Quilatan’s jumper.

Quilatan then combined with Rocky Antonares in the last 6:05 of the fourth as the Mariners sat on a 65-56 cushion on the way to their victory.