Jonathan Medina’s game-winning putback helped Jose Rizal University fend off Lyceum of the Philippines University, handing them the latter its third consecutive loss in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament after a thrilling 88-87 double-overtime clash at the Filoil Ecooil Centre on Tuesday.
The last double-overtime match played in the NCAA was on September 13, 2019, when Mapua University bested Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 105-101.
Medina was the hero for the Heavy Bombers, with the JRU offense desperately needing a spark in the second overtime. A
s Joshua Guiab’s floater missed, three Lyceum defenders scrambled for the rebound until the ball found its way to Medina’s hands. He nailed his own putback shot off the board, securing the epic victory.
Medina finished with only six points, three rebounds, and an assist, but his defense and effort in the second overtime were crucial after JL Delos Santos fouled out.
“Kanina ko pa pinagdadasal bago dumating palang sa Filoil, pinagdadasal ko na manalo. Sumunod lang kami kay coach Louie at sa coaching staff namin. Tiwala lang talaga, puso,” said Medina, a sophomore, after the win.
The Heavy Bombers improved to a 5-3 record for the season and will face the struggling Arellano University next on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
It was a tough loss for Lyceum, who started Season 99 with a six-game winning streak but has since lost three straight matches.
The Pirates rallied from an 11-point deficit to force overtime against JRU, giving themselves a chance to recover.
Down 65-71 with 48 seconds to go, Enoch Valdez scored two consecutive three-point plays and nailed two clutch free throws to force overtime.
Both teams had a chance to win in the first overtime, as the Pirates led 81-77 after Renz Villegas made a pair of free throws. However, the Pirates lost Valdez when he fouled out with 59 seconds to go on a three-point attempt by Agem Miranda.
With Valdez gone, the Heavy Bombers took an 82-81 lead after a jumper from JL Delos Santos, but Delos Santos also fouled out, sending John Bravo to the free-throw line.
Bravo made one of his free throws, and the two sides headed into a second overtime, where Medina’s heroics secured the win.
Joshua Guiab led the Heavy Bombers with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Agem Miranda and Marwin Dionisio contributed 14 points each.
Although JL Delos Santos didn’t score much, he had 10 assists and four steals before fouling out.
Assistant coach Alex Callueng praised the Heavy Bombers’ effort and unity during the Pirates’ rally, which he said was the key to their victory.
“Magandang bounce-back win. Coming from those two losses na we all thought na kaya namin, but siyempre basketball is unpredictable. I think the boys really played well. They held on together, kapit lang sabi nila, and lumaban sila all the way,” said assistant coach Alex Callueng.
“The coaches really believed doon sa sistema, and we all knew that we would come out as winners kasi from the start pa lang ang preaching the coaching staff sa amin is always believe in each other. Maglaro kayo, magsamasama kayo, matalo tayo sama-sama, manalo sama-sama pa rin,” he continued.
Valdez had a masterful all-around performance with 24 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and a block before fouling out in overtime. John Bravo recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Lyceum’s sharpshooting two-guard, Mclaude Guadana, had a hard time finding the basket, going 0 for 8 from the field and scoring only one point.
After starting the season with a six-game winning streak, the Pirates ended the first round with a 6-3 record, losing their final three games in the schedule.
The Scores:
JRU 88 – Guiab 18, Miranda 14, Dionisio 14, Sarmiento 8, Argente 8, Medina 6, delos Santos 5, Ramos 5, de Leon 4, Pabico 2, Sy 2, Arenal 1, Mosqueda 0, Barrera 0
LPU 87 – Valdez 24, Bravo 20, Umali 9, Omandac 9, Villegas 8, Penafiel 8, Barba 7, Montano 1, Guadana 1, Cunanan 0, Aviles 0
Quarterscores: 12-17, 34-29, 52-45, 81-81, 92-92, 88-87
