LESSONS learned, actions taken.
The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers made an effort to play a patient, low-scoring game with the Letran Knights yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers then came away with a 77-68 beating of the Knights to improve their chances of making it to the Final Four of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
The team took to heart the mistakes and good points that were learned when the Heavy Bombers absorbed a 109-115 setback to the Arellano Chiefs last week.
“Sa tingin, ito yung character ng team after losing a won ballgame against Arellano last week. Ang, importante, we bounced back,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.
Teytey Teodoro and Ervin Grospe led the scoring parade with 15 points apiece while Jed Mendoza and MJ Dela Virgen added 11 and 10 points, respectively, as the Bombers rediscovered their winning ways with their seventh victory in 11 games.
Rebounding from a tough 109-115 double overtime loss to Arellano University last week, JRU needed the win to boost its Final Four aspirations.
With the victory the Bombers (7-4) opened a two-game lead over the Knights (5-6) who suffered their third consecutive defeat to drop to fifth place behind the San Sebastian College Stags (5-5). Leading the standings are the Lyceum Pirates (11-0) and the San Beda College Red Lions (10-1).
The other teams include the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (4-6), University of Perpetual Help (4-6), the Arellano University Chiefs (4-6), the College of St. Benilde Blazers (2-9) and the Mapua Cardinals (1-10).
JRU built a 36-27 advantage at halftime and posted the biggest lead of the game, 64-48, on a Dela Virgen lay-up at the 7:34 mark of the third period.
“We cannot outscore the other team. Defense is our main offense,” said Bombers coach Vergel Meneses.
The Heavy Bombers also displayed better teamwork with 20 assists leading to 29 made field goals.
JP Calvo came through with 21 points, Rey Nambatac had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Bong Quinto had a double-double outing of 11 points and 12 rebounds for Letran.
The Knights have now lost three in a row after stringing together four consecutive wins.
In the juniors division, Kurt Reyson shot 20 points in a reserve role as Letran bested JRU, 91-87, for its seventh win in 11 matches.
In junior action, Neil Tolentino scored on a game-winning shot in the last 2.5 seconds, sending the Letran Squires to a 91-87 win over the JRU Light Bombers.
His basket came after JRU’s Ronnie Camua turned the ball over on an offensive foul. The Squires went on to earn their sixth win in 10 matches.
They moved up to third, and overtook the San Beda Red Cubs(6-5). Kurt Reyson showed the way with 20 points for the Raymund Valenzona coached Squires.
The scores:
JRU (77) – Grospe 15, Teodoro 15, Mendoza 11, Dela Virgen 10, Lasquety 9, Poutouochi 7, Abdul Razak 6, Sawat 4, Bordon 0, David 0.
CSJL (68) – Calvo 21, Nambatac 14, Quinto 12, Balanza 11, Mandreza 6, De Villa 2, Vacaro 2, Balagasay 0, Bernabe 0, Caralipio 0, Gedaria 0, Pamulaklakin 0, Pascual 0, Taladua 0.
Quarter scores: 12-12, 36-27, 58-45, 77-68.
Games today:
(Filoil Flying V Centre)
12 noon – LPU vs AU (Srs)
2 p.m. – CSB vs UPHSD (Srs)
4 p.m. – SSC-R vs SBC (Srs)