By: Miguel Caramoan
Allan Laurenaria delivered the dagger of the night, fearlessly driving to the lane for the go-ahead basket with just 2.1 seconds left as Jose Rizal University stunned San Beda University, 67-66, in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bryan Sajonia’s potential game-winner for the Red Lions only hit the board on the other end, sealing the Heavy Bombers’ thrilling upset and marking their first victory over San Beda since their 83-80 triumph back in October 4, 2022, during the first round of NCAA Season 98.
With the win, JRU, San Beda, and College of St. Benilde are now tied atop Group B standings with identical 2-1 records.
“Lagi namin ni-rereiterate sa kanila sa practice na malaki man sila, dapat yung puso namin mas malaki,” said JRU head coach Nani Epondulan, reflecting on their mindset against the powerhouse Red Lions.
“So dapat every possession, binibigay namin yung 100 percent kasi hindi natin alam pagkatapos ng laro kung mag what-if ba tayo kung dapat ba ginawa natin ito o hindi—kung yung kapalaran hawak natin sa simula pa lang.”
The Heavy Bombers came out firing, racing to a 27-18 lead midway through the second quarter before taking a 37-33 cushion at halftime.
San Beda clawed back behind Zedjay Etulle and Jimmy Reyes, tying the game at 43 midway through the third. But JRU quickly answered with a 12-3 run, capped by back-to-back triples from Sean Salvador and key baskets from Stephen Garupil, to seize a 55-46 lead entering the final frame.
The Red Lions refused to fold, though. Behind Bismarck Lina’s and-one play and an inside basket, San Beda surged ahead, 61-58, with 4:46 remaining. But JRU showed resilience, as Justine Lozano and Laurenaria matched every Red Lion attack to keep things close.
In the dying seconds, confusion briefly struck when Jacob Sajonia’s jumper was initially counted as a three-pointer, but was later ruled a long two—cutting their supposed lead.
After Salvador missed a corner triple, JRU fouled Janti Miller, who split his free throws, giving the Bombers one last chance to take control.
That’s when Laurenaria took matters into his own hands, slicing through San Beda’s defense for the game-winning layup with 2.1 seconds to go.
“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na nag pay-off na yung preparations na ginawa natin nung preseason. Kasi alam naman namin na young yung core—yung mentality, mental toughness, and physicality—kailangan namin i-work on. Kanina nung second half, pinisikal kami ng San Beda kaya nawala yung flow ng offense namin. Pero I’m so proud of the players na na-overcome nila yon,” added Epondulan, the NCAA Season 77 MVP.
Sophomore guard Sean Salvador spearheaded the Heavy Bombers with a career-high 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists while shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Lozano added 13 points, three boards, and two assists, while Laurenaria capped the night with the biggest basket of his young career.
“With regards to moral boost, talagang malaking kumpiyansa ang nabigay nito sa team namin. And yun nga, na-prove ko pa rin sa mga players ko ngayon na kung di sila bibitaw sa sistema na ni-rurun namin, malaki yung tsansa na may marating kami this season,” said Epondulan.
For the Red Lions, Sajonia led the charge with 16 points despite a cold 27.8% shooting clip, while Lina and Miller chipped in 13 points apiece in the loss.
The Scores:
Jose Rizal 67 – Salvador 15, Lozano 13, Panapanaan 9, Argente 8, Garupil 7, Laurenaria 6, Herrera 5, Sarmiento 3, Castillo 1, Benitez 0, Peñaverde 0, Duque 0
San Beda 66 – Sajonia 16, Miller 13, Lina 13, Etulle 8, Gonzales 6, Reyes 4, Celzo 2, Culdora 2, Puno 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Calimag 0, Jalbuena 0, Vailoces 0, Songcuya 0
Quarterscores: 19-16, 37-33, 55-46, 67-66
