Mapua Cardinals Upset La Salle In FilOil 2012 Hanes Cup Seniors Division: Is DLSU Out of The Running?

"Painful Loss"

By: Kristina Caramel Sy

The DLSU Green Archers suffered a terrible defeat that proved to be very costly as it put them in a bad situation heading into the Quarterfinals of the 2012 FilOil Flying V Hanes Cup. They were beaten by the Mapua Cardinals (MIT), 67-61, which resulted to them having a slimmer chance to enter the quarters.

After the defeat, DLSU is now tied with UST and CSJL with an identical 4-3 win-loss record in the standings. UST toppled the CSJL, 86-69, in their elimination round match-up in FilOil Flying V Pre-season Hanes Cup. That win of UST proved to be big as it helped them stay in contention for a possible Quarterfinal Slot.

In DLSU's disappointing loss against MIT, another sizzling clash of heads happened between MIT's pointguard Andretti Stevens and DLSU's ravishing rookie Mark Jayven Tallo. They bumped each other and called for a disqualifying foul. Both got a suspension on their next game.

The MIT Cardinals, played without Gab Banal, but still they were able to compete very well against a relatively strong team like La Salle. They were able to match the scoring of La Salle. 5 MIT players headed by the fast rising star Josan Nimes, Mike Parala, Kenneth Ighalo and the rookie, Jessie Saitanan garnered double-figure points each. That practically was the main reason why MIT beat La Salle. Almost all their players stepped up to patch up the absence of Banal. Their great scoring kept the lead on their hands.

And also, to end the game perfectly, Mike Parala, MIT's lanky center concluded the match as he fired 2 consecutive unexpected treys plus a basket that pushed their lead up to 6 points. That shut the doors for DLSU to secure a spot for quarters.