Steady Bombers halt Warriors win streak

MANILA, Philippines – Jose Rizal U stopped University of the East on its tracks while sustaining its impressive run as it hacked out a 68-64 victory yesterday in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Heavy Bombers came through with key stops down the stretch to preserve their 65-62 lead, foiling Paul Lee’s lay-up and forcing a turnover in the last 10 seconds to secure the victory, their fifth against two setbacks.

JR Sena, who missed JRU’s last four games due to knee injury, fired 26 points, including two free throws in the closing seconds as the Heavy Bombers closed out their elims assignment with back-to-back wins. They will see action in the quarters on June 6.

Lee had 16 points while Narciso Llagas added 14 points for the Warriors, who dropped to 4-1 in a three-way tie with the Adamson University Falcons in Group A behind idle Ateneo and San Sebastian College Stags, 5-1.

Despite the loss, the Warriors are still assured of a quarterfinals slot with one game left in their elims schedule. They play the FEU Tamaraws on June 3.

In the second game, Jimbo Aquino and Gilbert Bulawan scored 18 points each as the San Sebastian Stags downed the University of Perpetual Help-Altas, 79-62

The Altas took their sixth win against a lone win to end their elimination campaign.

Lester Alvarez scored on a drive in the last 3.4 seconds, lifting Adamson to a pulsating 67-65 victory over Far Eastern U in the third game.

The Falcons nearly blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter as the Tams rallied behind their full-court defense, forcing a tie at 65 on a triple by Ryan Garcia with 6.7 seconds left in the contest.

The Tamaraws still had a chance to win after Alvarez’s layup but Carl Cruz misfired his three-point attempt at the buzzer. – With report from contributor Celest Flores