Jose Rizal University pulled off a 60-58 victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos to secure a playoff to the Final Four in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament on Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The win lifted the Heavy Bombers to solo third with a 10-6 card, while the Golden Stags dropped to a 7-8 record as they also fell behind fourth-running Letran, who has a 7-8 card.
“Sabi ko sa kanila sa pregame huddle, we have to get this one and wag maging complacent heading into our game against Mapua. Let’s just win against San Sebastian and worry about it on Tuesday,” said Coach Vergel Meneses.
Abdel Poutouochi gave JRU the 59-58 lead after draining two free throws with 29.5 ticks left in the game.
RK Ilagan missed a split on the stripe by Jed Mendoza, giving the Golden Stags a chance to tie the game, but Michael Calisaan’s layup missed the basket to hand JRU the win.
“Because of composure, they got back the lead and we got a basket. Yung last two possession, we made a good stop,” added Meneses.
Mendoza led JRU with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and a block, while Ervin Grospe also had 14 points and three rebounds.
Tey Teodoro added 11 points from a 3-for-16 shooting, along with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Poutouochi chipped in a double-double record of 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Calisaan topped the Golden Stags with double-double of 15 markers and 13 boards, while Allyn Bulanadi and JM Calma both had nine points in the losing effort.
The Scores:
JRU 60 – Grospe 14, Mendoza 14, Teodoro 11, Poutouochi 10, Sawat 6, Dela Virgen 3, Abdul Razak 2, Lasquety 0, David 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 58 – Calisaan 15, Bulanadi 9, Calma 9, Ilagan 8, David 7, Navarro 3, Costelo 2, Baetiong 2, Capobres 2, Mercado 1, Gayosa 0, Are 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 33-30, 46-45, 60-58
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