JRU trips St. Clare, nears Sweet 16

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal downed reigning NAASCU titlist St. Clare, 78-71, yesterday in the Metro Manila qualifiers to move closer to the Sweet 16 phase of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at The Arena in San Juan City.

The victory was the Heavy Bombers’ second straight after trouncing the St. Francis of Assisi Doves, 86-63, as the Mandaluyong-based squad, out to atone for their failed Final Four bid in the NCAA, remained on track of their Sweet 16 bid.

“Our goal is to make the Sweet 16 first and see what happens from there,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

JRU resumes its drive against University of the East, which turned back St. Francis, 82-74, also yesterday, at 4 p.m. today, also at The Arena.

Meanwhile, Mapua, now handled by Randy Alcantara on an interim basis, and Adamson also stayed in the hunt after scoring contrasting victories.

The Cardinals toughened up in the stretch to turn back upset-conscious Phl Marine Merchant School squad, 74-70, while the Falcons had a relatively easy time in disposing of the Centro-Escolar U side, 89-70.

Both with 2-0 marks, Mapua and Adamson slug it out at 2 p.m.

Today’s matches will be aired live over Studio 23.  

Meanwhile, La Finns Scholastica captured the North-Central Luzon regional championship by downing the Lyceum of Subic Bay Sharks, 87-83, in the finals in San Fernando, La Union recently.

On its way to the finals, La Finns Scholastica eliminated last year’s champion University of Northern Phils., 85-64, and University of Pangasinan-Phinma, 82-66.