Bombers sink Altas; Cardinals soar

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal U toughened up on defense in the second half as it demolished Perpetual Help, 78-62, yesterday to nail its third win in a row in the 86th NCAA seniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Mapua likewise put up its own streak as it overpowered Arellano U, 73-51, to improve to a 2-1 (win-loss) slate.

John Deco Lopez, back in harness after missing a number of games early in the season due to a leg injury, and Alex Almario paced the Bombers with 16 and 12 points, respectively. But it was the tandem of Marvin Hayes and John Njei who keyed the big JRU run in the fourth quarter.

Hayes, many-time member of the Mythical First Team, had 11 points and 10 rebounds while Njei made up for his earlier so-so games with an all-around performance of 10 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and two shot blocks to power the Bombers to their third straight win following an opening day loss to San Beda.

It was, however, Jose Rizal’s defense in the final half that made the difference.

“In the first half, they were getting the touches and attempts so I told the boys to prevent them from receiving the ball,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

With George Allen, a transferee from Philippine Christian U, exploding for 16 points in the first half, the Altas took control and seized a 34-29 lead at the break.

But Jose Rizal clamped down on key Perpetual gunners in the second half to regain control en route to the victory.

Allen fired 16 points in the first half but struggled in the face of the Bombers’ solid defense and made just one foul shot. Arnold Danganan also scored 16 points for the Altas, who fell to their fourth straight setback.

In juniors’ action, RP youth standout Joshua Alolino fired a season-high 36 points as Perpetual Help downed Jose Rizal, 90-74.

Mapua, on the other hand, drew strength from Andoy Estrella’s 30-point effort as it walloped Arellano, 86-66.

Njei stole the thunder from fellow Cameroonian Joe Etame, the NCAA Press Corps’ ACCEL/FilOil Player of the Week who was used sparingly in this game and finished with only two points, two rebounds and two blocks in nine minutes.

“He (Etame) was rushing his shots in the first half when he should’ve taken in strong inside. In fairness, Njei was playing really well on both ends of the court,” said Meneses.