The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers are now in the midst of a winning streak for the first time this season.
After handing the San Beda Red Lions their first loss of the season, the Heavy Bombers rode the momentum they had gained, handing the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals their fourth loss of the season, 65-60, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“Last time na kinausap ko sa kanila parang rollercoaster kami, one win tapos talo,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses. “It’s about time na dahil second round na. Hindi na tayo puwedeng matalo.”
Leading the Heavy Bombers once more was gunner Teytey Teodoro. The 5’9″ guard dropped a game-high 22 points in the game, including four triples. Ervin Grospe added 14 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
However, it had not been easy pickings for the Kalentong cagers, who surrendered a 35-28 lead late in the second quarter as the Cardinals took a 49-45 lead entering the final frame. Allwell Oraeme and Darell Menina led the third quarter surge for Mapua, combining for nine markers.
Unlike their first round campaign, the Heavy Bombers did not falter in the final quarter, going on a 10-0 surge led by the unlikely duo of Grospe and Gio Lasquety. Buckets by King Cardinal CJ Isit and Menina tried to halt the rally but were quickly answered back for a 59-53 JRU lead with 3:47 left in the game.
“Sa akin yung desire to win nandun na, yung willingness nila to sacrifice and share the ball nandun,” added Meneses, who is slowly finding his smile now as the Heavy Bombers are just a game behind in the Final Four race. “Yun yung hindi ko makita nung first round.”
Menina, the fastest man in the NCAA, converted an and-one play after a step-back jumper against Paolo Pontejos and knocked down a long two afterwards to cut the lead to just a solitary point.
After a split on the stripe by Poutouchi, he was able to force a costly turnover on reigning NCAA MVP Oraeme, one of seven errors he had in the game. This led to a clutch three-pointer by Teodoro after shrugging off Isit. In the next possession, the Cameroonian was able to force a jumpball against Oraeme with the former winning, leading to a breakaway layup for Teodoro.
“Alam naman natin kakayanan ng isang Teodoro,” Meneses gushed.
In addition, the Cardinals, one of the best rebounding teams in the league, failed to rebound in the clutch.
Oraeme led Mapua with 15 points and 19 rebounds. Menina and Joseph Eriobu added 11 markers apiece.
The Heavy Bombers were able to force Mapua into 21 turnovers. On the other hand, the victors were able to secure their possessions, committing just 11 turnovers.
The Heavy Bombers (5-5) look to continue their streak, facing the Letran Knights on Tuesday, August 23, at 2:00pm. Mapua (6-4) will try to bounce back on the same day, squaring off against Intramuros neighbors the Lyceum Pirates at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
JRU (65) – Teodoro 22, Grospe 14, Pontejos 8, Poutouochi 5, Dela Paz 5, Dela Virgen 5, Lasquety 4, Cruz 2, Abdulrazak 0, Astilla 0.
MIT (60) – Oraeme 15, Eriobu 11, Menina 11, Isit 8, Serrano 6, Estrella 4, Orquina 3, Victoria 2, Biteng 0, Bunag 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 35-32, 45-49, 65-60.
