Bombers smother EAC 5, tie for 3rd

Games today

12 noon – San Beda vs St. Benilde (Jrs)

2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs St. Benilde (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Michael Mabulac turned in a season-best double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds as Jose Rizal U routed a Noube Happi-less Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-54, to rejoin Perpetual Help and College of St. Benilde at third in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The Heavy Bombers took charge in the early going, 24-7, and went on a trouble-free ride in the next three quarters to post their seventh win against four losses and back into the company of fellow Final Four bidders the Altas and the Blazers.

Mabulac starred in that early JRU run and dominated the boards all game while adding four assists and two shot blocks to cap his solid outing after a long struggle to find his form and rhythm.

“Although we’re winning, I felt like Michael is the missing link in the first round. I’m a bit satisfied that he finally came out of his slump,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses. 

Jaycee Asuncion, Philip Paniamogan and Gio Lasquety backed up Mabulac with 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

In the second game, Mapua repeated over San Sebastian, 75-73, for a 2-10 card while dealing the Stags their eighth straight loss and ninth overall against three wins.

Paniamogan, who came into the match with an 18.8-point norm, the second-best in the league, but who was left undrafted in the recent PBA draft, struggled a bit, missing 11 of his 15 shots while turning the ball over four times.

Meneses, however, said later it could be a blessing in disguise.

“I told him being the second highest scorer in the NCAA doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the PBA. You have to be special to make it there, which means you have to do extra things like rebound, defend, shoot better and play smart,” said Meneses, whose PBA career stretched to 14 seasons.

“It will also help if you can lead your team to a championship,” he added.

It also helped that the 6-7 Happi didn’t see action for the second straight game due to back injury.

“EAC has no big men so it’s not surprising he (Mabulac) came out with that game. Now we’ll see how he fares against Lyceum, which has legitimate big men,” said Meneses, referring to their next game against the Pirates on Monday.

Jan Jamon and Jerald Serrano shot 16 points apiece for the Generals, who fell to 3-8 (win-loss).

In juniors’ action, the Light Bombers turned back the Brigadiers, 71-63, to jump to solo third with an 8-3 card.

Mark dela Virgen and Darious Estrella combined for 36 points, 24 boards, nine assists, three steals and four blocks while Andrei Dada had 15 points, five assists, four caroms and four steals to power the Kalentong-based squad to victory.

The San Beda Cubs and the Letran Squires currently lead the way with 10-1 and 9-2 records, respectively.

The scores:

First Game

Jose Rizal 73 – Mabulac 18, Asuncion 14, Paniamogan 12, Lasquety 10, Abdul Wahab 9, Benavides 9, Salaveria 1, Astilla 0, Sanchez 0, Munez 0, Grospe 0, Teodoro 0

EAC 54 – Serrano 16, Jamon 16, Onwubere 9, Tayongtong 7, Saludo 4, Arquero 2, Aguilar 0, Santos 0, Mejos 0, General 0, Quilanita 0

Quarterscores: 24-7; 41-23; 59-45; 73-54

Second Game 

Mapua 75 – Gabo 14, Estrella 14, Isit 12, Eriobu 12, Biteng 8, Cantos 7, Saitanan 4, Canaynay 2, Villasenor 2

San Sebastian 73 – Perez 26, Dela Cruz 16, Guinto 12, Ortuoste 11, Camasura 3, Yong 3, Calisaan 2, Balucanag 0, Fabian 0, Costelo 0, Aquino 0, Mercado 0

Quarterscores: 23-18; 42-32; 57-53; 75-73