Jose Rizal University secured its first win of the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament, cruising to a 90-74 victory over San Sebastian on Wednesday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City.
With this win, the Arellano University Chiefs remain the only unbeaten team in the league.
The victory was a significant relief for fifth-year Heavy Bombers head coach Louie Gonzalez.
“Laking bagay actually. It’s actually a big relief on the side of my team,” said Gonzalez, who also serves as the president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines.
“Ang challenge ko lang talaga sa kanila is to show up. Gusto ko makita sa kanila yung pinakita nila sa akin during the preseason, kung saan dun nabuo yung tiwala,” he added.
JRU ended a five-game losing streak that had stretched back to last season.
Marvin Raymundo led JRU’s charge with a dominant performance, registering a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Mart Barrera contributed 18 points, including three three-pointers, while Jonathan Medina (11), Shawn Argente (10), and Justin Lozano (10) also finished in double digits.
Gonzalez particularly highlighted Medina, who is starting to regain his form after winning the NCAA 3×3 MVP crown last year.
“Hindi ko pa nararamdaman yung Jonathan Medina na nakita ko last year. After ng second game namin, nag-usap kami at tinanong ko sa kanya, being the best is knowing what is best. Too early na napunta siya sa spot na yun,” Gonzalez said, recalling his conversation with Medina following their 70-62 loss to Letran.
“He realized there na isa siya sa mga pillars ng team.”
Raymundo took charge in the third quarter, scoring nine of JRU’s 25 points to establish a 65-59 lead going into the final period.
From there, it was all Raymundo and the Heavy Bombers, who mounted a decisive endgame surge to hand San Sebastian its second consecutive defeat.
JRU will look to build on this momentum as they face the San Beda Red Lions next on Saturday.
For San Sebastian, Paeng Are led with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. Raymart Escobido and Ameer Aguilar each contributed 11 points but struggled with their shooting, combining for just 7-of-26 from the field.
Arvin Bonleon’s Golden Stags will aim to regroup on Sunday as they take on the Chiefs.
The Scores:
Jose Rizal 90 – Raymundo 21, Barrera 18, Medina 11, Argente 10, Lozano 10, Guiab 9, Mosqueda 5, Panapanaan 2, Sarmiento 2, De Leon 2, Ramos 0, Bernardo 0, Pangilinan 0, Samontanes 0, Ferrer 0.
San Sebastian 74 – Are 17, Escobido 11, Aguilar 11, Felebrico 10, Velasco 10, Maliwat 7, Gabat R. 7, Gabat L. 6, Barroga 2, Ricio 0, Pascual 0, Lintol 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 40-40, 65-59, 90-74.
