Rookie Teodorio bails out Bombers vs Generals

Games Saturday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 p.m. – Letran vs Perpetual Help (jrs)

2:30 p.m. – Letran vs Perpetual Help (srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Jose Rizal went to rookie Bernabe Teodoro in the third quarter and relied on a prayer in the fourth as it turned back a feisty Emilio Aguinaldo, 81-79, on Friday to jump to third place in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Teodoro, a neophyte out Fatima high school, poured in eight of his 14 points in the third quarter when his team built a 13-point cushion and then the Bombers held their breath as the Generals tried and failed to mount a comeback.

EAC had one more chance to steal the game but John Tayongtong threw a wild, potential game-winning three-point heave that completely missed its target as time expired, handing Jose Rizal its fifth win against three losses to zoom to No. 3.

"He hit shots that helped us gave that big lead," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses referring to the 20-year-old Teodoro, a first year Management student. "Without that lead, we wouldn't have survived this game.

"I knew he (Tayongtong) he will take the three so I just hope and pray he misses and I'm glad my prayers were answered," he added.

Tayongtong had a chance to become hero when he exploded for 10 fourth quarter points but turned into goat instead by throwing an ill-advised 3-pointer instead of passing it up to streaking teammate Ariel Aguilar.

The Generals just lived and died with Tayongtong, who finished with 21 points and a game-high nine assists, as they absorbed their sixth defeat against two triumphs.

Philip Paniamogan and Jaypee Asuncion paced the Kalentong-based school with 18 and 15, respectively.

It was Teodoro, however, who shone the brightest in the end.

"I told him (Teodoro) he'll go places if he keeps playing aggressive even in practice," said Meneses.

The Generals appeared in control early as they led at the end of the first half, 44-38, with Jack Arquero, Aguilar and Sydney Onwubere taking turns in delivering key baskets.

The scores:

Jose Rizal 81 – Paniamogan 18, Asuncion 15, Teodoro 14, Sanchez 11, Mabulac 8,  Grospe 6, Abdul Wahab 4, Benavides 3, Salaveria 2

EAC 79 – Tayongtong 21, Happi 12, Arquero 12, Onwubere 11, Aguilar 10, Serrano 5, Santos 4, Jamon 4, Pascual 0

Quarterscores: 18-24; 38-44; 66-56; 81-79