José Rizal University kept its unbeaten record intact and handed College of Saint Benilde its first loss, 73-69, in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
With the victory, the Heavy Bombers moved to solo first in Group A with a 2-0 record, while the Blazers dropped to second at 2-1.
“It’s a long season ahead, so our mantra will be one game at a time. Focus lang kami sa next game namin and ibibigay ang all-out effort every game,” said assistant coach Joaqui Garcia.
Benilde battled back from a double-digit deficit in the third quarter, mounting a late-game run that carried over into the final frame.
With 6:24 remaining, the Blazers scored seven unanswered points in just over a minute to cut JRU’s lead to three, 62-59.
After a JRU free throw on the other end, Jhommel Ancheta knocked down a much-needed triple to make it a one-point game, 63-62.
Allen Laurenaria momentarily stemmed the Blazers’ surge by sinking both free throws, but Justine Sanchez quickly answered with a putback layup to cut the deficit to one again, 65-64.
Ancheta then drilled a clutch corner jumper with 2:01 remaining, giving Benilde its first lead of the second half, 66-65.
However, with the Blazers already in the penalty, JRU attacked the paint, allowing Chris Hubilla to restore the Heavy Bombers’ lead from the free-throw line, 67-66.
Lawrence Mangubat then hit the biggest shot of the game, drilling a three-pointer off a Laurenaria assist to put JRU ahead, 70-66.
Sanchez immediately answered with a trey of his own, cutting the deficit to one again at 70-69, but JRU kept its composure down the stretch.
After Mangubat split his free throws, Laurenaria came up with a crucial offensive rebound before Mangubat sealed the victory at the line, 73-69.
“Yung dalawang game namin sobrang dikit, so kailangan naming matutohan yan every day. Especially ‘yung mga rookies, kailangan masanay na sa ganyang sitwasyon. We just need to be composed and trabaho pa kami lalo,” said Mangubat.
Mangubat led the Heavy Bombers with a near double-double of 20 points and nine rebounds, while Hubilla anchored JRU’s defense with 12 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.
Jalen Garcia added 11 points for JRU, nine of which came in the first half, while Sean Salvador chipped in 10.
For Benilde, Sanchez posted an identical stat line to Mangubat with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Ancheta and SJ Moore followed with 18 points apiece for the Blazers.
The Blazers will face Mapúa University on Friday at 5:00 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, while the Heavy Bombers will play their rescheduled game against San Beda University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Scores:
Jose Rizal 73 – Mangubat 20, Hubilla 12, Garcia 11, Salvador 10, Eligado 7, Palis 6, Laurenaria 5, Herrera 2, Garupil 0, Penaverde 0, Masiglat 0, Agmenyi 0, Castillo 0
Benilde 69 – Sanchez 20, Moore 18, Ancheta 18, Cajucom 6, Go 4, Morales 2, Galas 1, Torres 0, Podador 0, Daja 0, Gonzaga 0, Baliquig 0, Jarque 0, Arciaga 0
Quarterscores: 16-16, 38-33, 58-50, 73-69
