MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal University continued to make heads turn as it stunned last year’s semifinalist Perpetual Help, 71-66, yesterday to nail its second straight victory in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Given little chance this season being in a rebuilding process, the Bombers made it two in a row following an 80-77 win over the Arellano U Chiefs Friday, thus, improving to 2-3 (win-loss).
John Amores and Marwin Dioniso led the way by firing 15 and 12 points, respectively as the Kalentong-based dribblers dealt the Altas, one of the teams tipped to contend this year, their third straight setback against a lone win.
“My team is blessed by players who play with heart and courage,” said JRU coach Louie Gonzales.
Lyceum of the Philippines U, meanwhile, fought back from a double-digit deficit as it downed San Sebastian, 80-69, to jack up its record to 3-1.
The Pirates tightened the defensive screws in the fourth quarter where they held the Stags to just 10 points while erupting for 28 of their own.
It didn’t help SSC that RK Ilagan, who was the league’s leading scorer with an average of 22.5 points a game, was limited to just four attempts by the swarming LPU defense and missed everything.
The Stags suffered their first loss after two straight wins.
In the third game, Letran survived a gutsy stand by Emilio Aguinaldo and escaped with a 91-89 win, the former’s fourth in row against a loss.
The Generals skidded to a third defeat in four outings.
The scores:
First Game
JRU 71 – Amores 15, Dela Rosa 12, Dionisio 12, Steinl 12, Miranda 11, Delos Santos 7, Aguilar 2, Arenal 0, Jungco 0, Vasquez 0
Perpetual Help 66 – Aurin 14, Charcos 13, Peralta 13, Egan 7, Adamos 6, Razon 5, Cuevas 3, Sevilla 2, Barasi 0, Giussani 0, Lanoy 0
Quarterscores: 17-11; 41-28; 56-52; 71-66
Second Game
LPU 80 – Marcelino JV 12, Marcelino JC 11, Navarro 11, Valdez 11, David 10, Caduyac 7, Nzeusseu 6, Tansingco 5, Santos 3, Ibanez 2, Pretta 2, Yong 0
San Sebastian 69 – Bulanadi 13, Tero 12, Altamirano 10, Calahat 8, Villapando 7, Sumoda 6, Dela Cruz 5, Calma 4, Capobres 2, Desoyo 2, Ilagan 0, Cosari 0
Quarterscores: 15-13; 30-36; 52-59; 80-69
Third Game
Letran 91 – Balanza 22, Ular 19, Batiller 17, Muyang 16, Yu 8, Mina 5, Caralipio 2, Ambohot 1, Javillonar 1, Olivario 0, Reyson 0, Sangalang 0, Balagasay 0
EAC 89 – Taywan 25, Gonzales 13, Maguliano 10, Luciano 8, Dayrit 7, Tampoc 6, Mendoza 5, Martin 5, Gurtiza 2, De Guzman 2, Boffa 2, Corilla 2, Cadua 2
Quarterscores: 15-20; 38-48; 68-65; 91-89