JRU raps MIT, takes No. 3

Games Thursday

12 noon – AU vs UPHSD (jrs)

2 p.m. – AU vs UPHSD (srs)

4 p.m. – CSB vs EAC (srs)

6 p.m. – CSB vs EAC (srs)

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal U banked on Teytey Teodoro and made key stops down the stretch as the Bombers survived the Mapua Cardinals, 62-58, to claim the third Final Four berth in the 93rd NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Teodoro fired game-high 19 points while the Bombers held the Cardinals to just two points in the last four and a half minutes to formalize their return stint in the semis with an 11-6 slate.

JRU, which failed to advance last year, thus joined unbeaten Lyceum of the Philippines U and defending champion San Beda in the post-season play.

It also marked the fifth time in the last eight seasons under coach Vergel Meneses that the Bombers will make the playoff round.

“It’s a good to be back in the Final Four,” said JRU Vergel Meneses, who has previously steered the Bombers to the semis four times.

Jed Mendoza chipped in 10 points while Ghana’s AbdulRazak AbdulWahab controlled the boards with 17 rebounds and finished with three blocks.

JRU takes on Lyceum this Friday, hoping to spoil the Pirates’ record sweep bid.

“We just want to go into the Final Four coming off a win,” said Meneses.

The Cardinals, who were led by Arnel Orquina’s 14 points, fell to 3-13.

Andoy Estrella hit two free throws to put Mapua within, 56-58, with 4:30 minutes remaining in the contest.

But the Bombers made up for their poor shooting and erratic offense in the clutch by holding the Cardinals to just a basket the rest of the way to seal the semis-clinching victory.

In the other game, Arellano U bucked the loss of Kent Salado to injury early in the fourth quarter as it upended San Sebastian, 85-79, to keep its slim semis hopes alive.

Salado shot 22 points and made six assists and four assists before moving out of the game for good with a right leg injury early in the fourth.

But Levi dela Cruz and Richard Abanes stepped up to take the cudgels for the Chiefs, who went on to frustrate the Stags and tie their victims at fifth at 7-9.

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

Second Game

Arellano U 85 – Salado 22, Cañete 15, Dela Cruz 10, Nicholls 9, Viloria 8, Abanes 6, Flores 4, Meca 4, Alcoriza 3, Concepcion 2, Enriquez 2, Taywan 0.

San Sebastian 79 – Bulanadi 14, Ilagan 14, Calma 12, Gayosa 9, Navarro 9, Calisaan 7, Capobres 7, Costelo 3, David 2, Mercado 2, Baetiong 0, Quipse 0, Valdez 0.

Quarterscores: 20-19, 38-33, 60-52, 85-79