Bombers nip Altas in OT, gain solo 3rd

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal U scrambled past Perpetual Help, 80-76, in overtime to seize solo third behind San Beda and Arellano in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Michael Mabulac completed a crucial three-point play off Justine Alano in the extra five minutes as the Bombers wrested control then pounced on the Altas miscues at endgame to pull through in a match that was close throughout.

It was JRU’s ninth victory against four losses as it moved closer to San Beda (10-2) and Arellano (9-3) heading to the crucial phase of the double-round elims.
“We made clutch plays in the end, Michael (Mabulac) made some crucial shots,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses after steering the Bombers to a sweep of the Altas, whom they also nipped, 62-61, in the first round.

The Kalentong-based squad thus repeated over the Altas, whom the former also defeated, 62-61, in the first round.

The setback dropped Perpetual to joint fourth with St. Benilde at 8-5.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs try to firm up their hold of second as they tangle with the Blazers in today’s resumption of the elims.

The Bombers’ victory also put to naught Earl Scottie Thompson’s 26-point explosion, highlighted by 11 straight in overtime that kept the Altas in the game. His 13 rebounds and five assists, meanwhile, kept Thompson on top of the MVP race.

Perpetual Help actually had chances to send the game into another overtime but Ric Gallardo misfired on a wide open lay up and after the Altas regained possession, Gabriel Dagangon dribbled too much leading to a backcourt violation.

Jaycee Asuncion, who played for Perpetual Help a few years back before transferring to Jose Rizal, also hit a clutch triple in extra play then drained two free throws to seal the victory for the Bombers.

Earlier, Mapua drubbed Lyceum, 76-65, to match its win total last year.

Carlos Isit and Leo Gabo scored 17 points each while Joseph Emmanuel Eriobu, Jr. and Exeqiel Biteng chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively, as the ousted Cardinals booked their third win against 10 defeats while jeopardizing the Pirates’ semis bid.

“From the start, the least we hoped for is for us to improve on our record last year and we’re close to achieving that,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co.

The Cardinals broke out of a tight first half (29-all) to wrest a 54-49 lead then Isit, Biteng, Eriobu, Isit and Gabo combined in the fourth to power Mapua to victory.                  

The Pirates, led by Cameroonian Guy Mbida’s 13 points and Rhoel Maconocido, Jr.’s 12 markers, fell to their eighth loss against five wins.

The scores:

First Game

MIT 76 – Isit 17, Gabo 17, Eriobu 12, Biteng 11, Cantos 8, Estrella 7, Saitanan 4, Villasenor 0.

LPU 65 – Mbida 13, Maconocido 12, Gabayni 9, Zamora 9, Soliman 8, Bulawan 6, Taladua 5, Malabanan 2, Lesmoras 1, Elmejrab 0, Pamulaklakin 0.

Quarterscores: 15-15, 29-29, 54-49, 76-65

Second Game

Jose Rizal 80 – Paniamogan 22, Mabulac 21, Ascuncion 16, Sanchez 7, Lasquety 4, Balagtas 4, Abdulwahab 3, Teodoro 2, Grospe 1, Benavides 0 

Perpetual 76 – Thompson 26, Baloria 21, Alano 15, Arboleda 7, Dagangon 7, Oliveria 0, Dizon 0, Ylagan 0, Tamayo 0,, Bantayan 0, Gallardo 0, Jolangcob 0 

Quarterscores: 19-16; 39-34; 51-50; 63-63 (Reg.); 80-76 (OT)