Sweep didn’t come easy for Bombers

Jose Rizal University scored a perfect 10 from the stripe in the final 59 seconds last night to escape with a 95-90 victory over defending champion St. Benilde and sweep its first-round assignment in the 77th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

It was the seventh straight victory for the Heavy Bombers, who duplicated their feat in the first round of the 2000 season. To get past the Blazers, they leaned on an impeccable touch from the free-throw line all game long, converting 35 of 38 tries for a high 95 percent.

But it was in the final 59 seconds where those charities really spelled the difference with hotshot Ernani Epondulan going 6-for-6 and quarterback John Dale Valena going 4-for-4. In the first 20 minutes of play, the Heavy Bombers converted all their 17 free throws.

The victory spoiled the return of St. Benilde coach Dong Vergeire from a three-game suspension slapped on him by commissioner Filomeno "Boy" Codiñera for his misconduct in a game against San Beda last July 14. Worse, it was the Blazers’ fifth straight loss after winning their first two games.

Earlier, Mapua showed no ill effects of a bitter loss to Philippine Christian University last Thursday as it drove past San Beda, 80-71, and gained a share of third place with Perpetual Help at 4-3.

Veteran Steve Marucot helped the Cardinals dictate the tempo of the game by hitting his first four field goals and converting three of his first four charities as he poured in 11 of his team-high 16 points in the opening quarter.

It was the sixth straight defeat for the Red Lions, whose lone victory so far this season came at the expense of PCU, 93-85, last month. San Beda led at 58-57 early in the final quarter but, as usual, ran out of steam in the end.