THE Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers held the Mapua University Cardinals scoreless in the last two minutes to escape with a 62-58 win Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers kept Andrew Estrella from scoring thrice in the closing minutes, allowing them to formally claim the third seat in the Final Four semifinals in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Teytey Teodoro tallied 19 points for the Heavy Bombers as they picked up their 11th triumph in 17 matches, with still one game left in their second-round schedule.
Jed Mendoza had 10 points, with his final basket in the last 2:32 giving the Heavy Bombers a much-needed, six-point cushion, 62-56.
Before this, John Ervin Grospe, who was sick with the flu, scored on a layup in the last three minutes shoving JRU to a 60-56 lead after Andoy Estrella hit two free throws to push Mapua closer, 56-58, with 4.30 minutes remaining.
But the Bombers made up for their sour shooting and erratic offensive windup by limiting the Cardinals to just a basket in the final two minutes, courtesy of Laurenz Victoria, the rest of the way to seal the win.
The win marked the return of Heavy Bombers to the Final Four after failing to make it last season.
Coach Vergel Meneses, however, said he was not satisfied of his wards’ showing, as the Cardinals kept matters close in the final period.
“I’m not happy with the win. They thought they can win this game only on offense. It was only in the last three possessions that we were able to stop them,” said Meneses, whose Bombers went on to post their fourth consecutive win.
Earlier, the defending champion Malayan Red Robins banked on the baskets of Carl Lacap in the final minute to get past the JRU Light Bombers, 92-88, in the junior division.
Lacap only had 13 points, but his jumper and triple in the last 5.8 seconds gave the Red Robins a six-point cushion, 91-85.
Will Gozum led the Red Robins with 31 points and 13 rebounds, while Warren Bonifacio added 18 points and 15 rebounds. The Light Bombers drew 24 points from Kobe Caballero.
The scores:
First Game
JRU 62—Teodoro 19, Mendoza 10, Sawat 9, Grospe 8, Lasquety 6, Bordon 4, Abdul Razak 2, Poutouochi 2, David 2, dela Virgin 0
Mapua 58—Orquina 14, Pelayo 11, Bunag 10, Victoria 8, Estrella 8, Raflores 6, Aguirre 1, Gabo 0, Jimenez 0
Quarterscores: 21-17; 36-32; 52-47; 62-58
Games Thursday (The Arena in San Juan)
12 nn Arellano vs Perpetual Help (jrs)
2 p.m. Arellano vs Perpetual Help (srs)
4 p.m. CSB vs EAC (srs)
6 p.m. LSGH vs EAC (jrs)