The Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers stole National University (NU) Bulldogs’ thunder to come out victorious in overtime, 70-68, in the 2015 FilOil-Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Wednesday evening at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Heavy Bombers started well in the first quarter, turning their slim 10-7 lead in the 5:48 mark to a wide eight-point margin, 19-11, approaching the two-minute mark. NU’s Arden Celda scored two straight baskets to close the quarter trailing by four, 19-15.
NU notched up their rhythm in the second quarter, being able to trim the deficit to just two, 26-24, after a pair of free throws from Jeoff Javillonar with 1:45 left in the first half. But JRU, behind Tey Teodoro and Dave Sanchez, regained their bearings to end the half in their favor, 32-29.
JRU lost a bit of their rhythm in the third canto, giving NU to score on an 8-0 run behind Angelo Abatayo, Seny Gaye, and Gelo Alolino to grab the lead, 41-37, with less than three minutes left. Six straight points from Alolino and Celna closed the quarter with NU up, 47-41.
The Bulldogs sustained their lead in the fourth quarter with an eight-point, 59-51 lead with less than four minutes left. However, JRU, with Sanchez, Abdel Poutouochi, and Kim Aurin providing baskets, were able to regain the lead, 63-60, but a triple from Jay-J Alejandro sent the game to OT, 63-all.
Sanchez scored three points to lift JRU up, 63-60, to open up the OT. NU tied it 68-all after a triple from Alolino, but JRU had the last laugh when Jordan Dela Paz sank a clutch fadeaway jumper over Alolino with 2.4 ticks left, sealing the game for the Bombers.
“Panaginip ba ito?” JRU head coach Vergel Meneses told the members of the press after the game. “Sana magpatuloy itong run namin hanggang sa NCAA.”
With regards to the clutch performance of team captain Cris Dela Paz, Meneses told us that they were looking for that mismatch against Alolino for the entire night. “He [Alolino] is a good defender but mas malaki si Jordan. Masama ang laro ni Jordan sa buong tournament but we are still looking at him as one of the leaders of the team. Malaki potential niya.”
Tey Teodoro led the Heavy Bombers in scoring with 20 points on 6 of 19 shooting. Big man Dave Sanchez played 33 minutes and had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. For the Bulldogs, Rden Celda had 19 points. While Gelo Alolino had 11 points and dished out 6 assists.
JRU will face the top team in Group A, UPHSD, on Saturday, May 30 at 11:45am while the NU Bulldogs next play on Wednesday, June 3 at 3:15pm.
The Scores:
JRU 70 – Teodoro 20, Sanchez 14, Poutouochi 12, Balagtas 5, Dela Paz 5, Lasquety 4, Gorospe 4, Abdulwahab 2, Aurin 2, Pontejos 2, Dela Virgen 0
NU 68 – Celda 19, Alolino 11, Alejandro 10, Gaye 8, Javillonar 8, Abatayo 7, Neypes 4, Rangel 1, Salim 0, Diputado 0, Morido 0, Lastimosa 0, de Castro 0
| TEAMS | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | OT |
| JRU (A, 5-1) | 19 | 32 | 41 | 63 | 70 |
| NU (A, 4-2) | 15 | 29 | 47 | 63 | 68 |
