By Peter Atencio
Games Wednesday (Filoil EcoOil Arena)
1:30 p.m.- UPHSD vs Mapua
3:30 p.m.- CSB vs San Beda
Birthday celebrants Marwin Dionisio and Jonathan Medina gifted themselves with a fitting present as the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers hacked out a 77-64 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Their heroics hoisted the JRU Heavy Bombers to their second consecutive triumph and their 10th overall in 16 outings in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The 6’4″ Dionisio, who just turned 24 the other day, fired 16 points, to go with eight rebounds, two assists and a steal for the Heavy Bombers, who firmed up their hold on fourth spot in a solid contention for a semifinals berth.
The 22-yearold Medina also celebrated his birthday as he made 11 points with Joshua Guiab, hauling in six rebounds and two assists in the process.
Guiab, who had a double-double performance with Vince Sarmiento after he grabbed 10 rebounds, unloaded seven points in the last period.
Sarmiento knocked in 10 points and 10 boards for the Heavy Bombers, whose win dimmed the Generals’ chances of reaching the Final Four with their 8-8 slate.
The Heavy Bombers struck hard in the last 4:17 after Guiab and Ry de la Rosa shot back-to-back three-pointers and pushed JRU away from a 63-all deadlock, and into a 69-64 edge.
JRU went on to hold the Generals scoreless in the remaining time and with baskets Medina and Agem Miranda lifting the Heavy Bombers to a 13-point edge when the game ended.
JRU coach Louie Gonzales credited the team’s good ball movement in their effort to stay on the winning track.
“It’s one of the things we achieved today, which was our 22 assists. It’s the brand of game that we need in order for us to be competitive, and eventually win ball games,” said Gonzales.
Meanwhile, Kobe Monje took charge with 13 points and led the Knights to a 67-58 victory over the Arellano University Chiefs.
The Knights, who are the dethroned three-peat champion, went to post their second triumph in 16 games.
“I’m proud of Kobe since I started at Letran, player ko na sya sa Team B,” said Letran coach Rensy Bajar of Monje, who took over after they lost Kurt Reyson, Nicko Fajardo and Andrei Guarino to season-ending injuries.
Letran put an end to a seven-game losing streak with its second win of the season and improve to a 2-14 card, while Arellano dropped to 2-13.