The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers hit the gas in the payoff period, shoving aside the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, and extended their winning streak to three, 82-74, Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Heavy Bombers secured their third win in as many games to lead Group A, while Letran fell to 0-3.
MJ Dela Virgen played well to lead the Mandaluyong-based squad with 17 points, going perfect from the field. The guard also had five rebounds and two assists.
JRU posted 12-point leads in the third quarter, but Letran cut it down to seven before the final period.
To that head coach Vergel Meneses commented, “Too many mistakes down the stretch. Akala nila hindi makakabalik yun Letran. Eh ilang beses ng nakabalik ang Letran, nanalo pa.”
Without Teytey Teodoro in the fourth, stalwarts Dela Virgen and Ervin Grospe led the Bombers to pull of the crucial win.
“Actually, gusto ko ring mabigyan ng confidence yung iba,” Meneses explained. “We know Teytey, big time player. Every time kunin mo siya sa bench, he will give you something. And I want to give confidence dun sa ibang players.”
The Heavy Bombers will face the Lyceum of the Philippines University (3-0) in the clash of two group leaders on May 22, Monday, at 5pm.
Rey Nambatac registered 25 points and six rebounds to pace the Knights.
Letran will try to arrest their slump when they meet the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (0-1) the day before, May 21, at 3:15pm.
The Scores:
JRU (82) – Dela Virgen 17, Lasquety 12, Teodoro 11, Estrella 9, Grospe 8, Bordon 8, Poutouochi 5, Sawat 5, Mendoza 3, Abdulwahab 2, Astilla 2, Mate 0.
CSJL (74) – Nambatac 25, Ambohot 11, Balanza 8, Gedaria 7, Calvo 7, Balagasay 4, Quinto 3, Taladua 3, Pamulaklakin 2, Vacaro 2, Pascual 2, Bernabe 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarterscores: 15-15, 45-37, 61-54, 82-74.
