THE Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers turned to the free throw line to survive the gritty challenge of the San Sebastian College Stags, 60-58, yesterday to inch closer to a seat in the Final Four of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers hiked their record to 10-6 record and are assured of at least a playoff for a spot in the semifinals.
The Kalentong-based dribblers could clinch a Final Four seat outright with a win either against Mapua on Tuesday or Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday.
Abdel Potouochi knocked in a pair of freebies with 29.5 seconds left to put JRU up, 59-58.
Ryan Costelo could have won it for the Heavy Bombers but his basket rimmed out, and in the return play, Jed Mendoza sent in a charity shot to push JRU up by two points.
The Stags could have sent the game to overtime, but Michael Calisaan bungled his attempt in the next play.
The loss put the Stags to 7-8 in fifth, and they are a game behind the fourth running Letran Knights at 8-7.
Meanwhile, Robert Bolick Jr. made his teammates look good.
Bolick scored only six points, but he had 12 assists, and his passes to AC Soberano and Javee Mocon helped carry the defending champion San Beda Red Lions to an 88-51 demolition of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
Soberano, who subbed for an injured Davon Potts, and Mocon were in the zone all throughout the game to lead the Red Lions to their 15th triumph in 16 games in second spot.
The outside sniping of Soberano and Mocon allowed the Red Lions take charge early, 26-11 in the first canto. The pair made17 and 15 points respectively.
The Red Lions held the Generals to 11 points in the first period. Triples from Mocon and Franz Abuda in the last 5:42 gave the Mendiola dribblers a comfortable lead.
The two struck with another pair of treys in the last 2:56, and San Beda gained an 11-point spread, 19-8.
The Red Lions were held to 14 points in the second period, but two triples from Soberano in the remaining 5:36 pushed them further ahead, 36-20.
“I hope that the way we play today, we’ll be consistent until the playoffs,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez.
In the junior action, Evan Nelle drilled in 21 points while Sam Abu Hijle hit 10 points and 12 rebounds to lift the San Beda Red Cubs to a 91-56 crushing of the EAC Brigadiers.
The Red Cubs, who took control, 26-4, in the first period, picked up their 11th win in 16 matches, and joined La Salle Greenhills in the second.
This kept them in contention for a twice-to-beat incentive.
The Jose Rizal University Light Bombers turned back the San Sebastian Staglets, 84-76, to hike their record to 6-10,
The Staglets, with Romel Calahat making 15, stayed in fifth at 8-7, and still in the hunt for the last Final Four seat with Letran (9-6) and Lyceum (7-8) and the Arellano Braves (7-8).
Games Tuesday
(at the Arena in San Juan)
12nn Malayan vs JRU (jrs)
2 p.m. Mapua vs JRU (srs)
4 p.m. San Sebastian vs Arellano (srs)
6 p.m. San Sebastian vs Arellano (jrs)
