Allen Laurenaria shone against his former school on both ends of the floor, guiding Jose Rizal University to a crucial 66-63 victory over Mapua University in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
The Cardinals cut the deficit to just two, 65-63, after a Cyril Gonzales jumper with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter. But a flopping technical foul committed by Clint Escamis proved pivotal, extending the Heavy Bombers’ lead to 66-63.
Tragedy struck at the 2:08 mark of the fourth quarter when Justin Lozano fell after fouling Cyrus Nitura and had to be stretchered off the court after hitting his head on the floor.
Both teams went scoreless in the remaining minutes, as defenses held firm and JRU sealed the win.
The former Season 100 Juniors Rookie of the Year with the Red Robins finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Meanwhile, Lozano — before being sidelined — had 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
“Knowing Allen Laurenaria since he’s from our high school program, kaya I know naman na kung binigyan siya ng pagkakataon, magde-deliver naman siya. Kasi sa ensayo pa lang talaga na 100 percent talaga siya everyday,” Heavy Bombers head coach Nani Epondulan said on Laurenaria’s impact for JRU.
The Heavy Bombers started fast, with Lozano scoring eight of the team’s first 13 points, helping JRU race to an eight-point lead at 4:07 in the first quarter. Sean Salvador added two three-pointers, extending the lead to 25-15 by the end of the period.
The Cardinals trimmed the lead to 28-27 early in the second quarter with a JC Recto free throw. But JRU, fueled by Laurenaria’s scoring and hustle, reestablished a double-digit advantage at halftime, 43-33.
Even though Laurenaria was held scoreless in the first five minutes of the third quarter, the Heavy Bombers maintained their lead, with his late six-point burst helping JRU hold a 56-49 lead after three periods.
JRU now moves back to .500 at 4-4 and climbs back to fourth place in Group B.
“We’re always saying yung maturity, so sabi ko sa kanila sa huddle kanina na yung pag-bounce back is more a character thing. Dito pumapasok yung sinasabi namin na binabago namin yung kultura and yung character nila maiba na. So ayun, hats off sa kanila kasi ginawa naman nila yung game plan namin,” Epondulan said on his team’s performance against Mapua.
The Heavy Bombers aim to finish their crossover play on a high note against the Arellano Chiefs on November 5 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Mapua, meanwhile, suffered its third straight defeat and is now tied with Arellano for second place in Group A at 3-4. JC Recto led the Cardinals with 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Gonzales added 14 points and three assists off the bench.
However, Clint Escamis struggled again, contributing just two points and four turnovers on 1-of-7 shooting in 26.4 minutes. Another concern for the Cardinals was their outside shooting, as they failed to convert a single three-pointer in 19 attempts.
Mapua looks to snap its slump against the EAC Generals on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Jose Rizal 66 – Laurenaria 13, Lozano 13, Argente 8, Garupil 7, Salvador 7, Panapanaan 6, Benitez 4, Duque 4, Herrera 2, Castillo 2, Sarmiento 0, Peñaverde 0
Mapua 63 – Recto 15, Gonzales 14, Nitura 9, Sapasap 8, Delos Reyes 8, Escamis 2, Igliane 2, Cuenco 2, Concepcion 2, Lazarte 1, Callangan 0
Quarterscores: 25-15, 43-33, 56-49, 66-63
