Teytey Teodoro drained a game-winning jumper with 5.3 ticks left as Jose Rizal University squeaked past Emilio Aguinaldo College, 60-59, yesterday in NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
Trailing, 59-58, Teodoro stepped up unfazed despite the tight defense from Francis Munsayac as the Bombers clinched their second win against three losses to crawl out of the cellar.
It was a tough win for JRU which battledthrough 22 lead changes and six deadlocks against a persistent EAC side.
Apart from the crucial field goal, Teodoro paced the Bombers with 22 points, including 13 in the first quarter, while dishing off three steals and two assists.
JRU imposed its assault with an early 19-10 first-quarter lead, but EAC answered back with 20 points – eight coming from Sidney Onwubere – in the second period to grab a 30-29 edge at halftime.
Both teams clung to their starters, with Francis Munsayac draining a corner jumper to give EAC a 59-58 edge with 11.1 seconds left, but Teodoro took charge in the final moments.
Munsayac tried to retaliate with a buzzer-beating triple, but the shot bounced off the rim.
Mark Cruz also contributed 14 points and six rebounds for JRU, while Jordan dela Paz and AbdulRazak AbdulWahab collared 10 boards each.
EAC dropped to a 1-4 card, the loss overshadowing the double-double efforts of Sidney Onwubere and Hamadou Laminou.
Onwubere posted 18 points and 19 rebounds, while Laminou flirted with a near triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks.
Meanwhile, Adrian Alban topped with 21 points and Mike Nzeusseu added 15 as Lyceum dumped a halpless College of St. Benilde, 75-58.
The Pirates improved to 2-3 to join JRU in the middle standings, while the Blazers absorbed their sixth straight loss in as many games, their worst start since 2004.
In juniors play, McLaude Guadana scored 16 points as Lyceum repulsed CSB-La Salle Greenhills, 82-77, to tie with its victim at 3-3.
Scores:
JRU 60 – Teodoro 21, Cruz 14, Grospe 6, Dela Paz 5, Poutuouchi 4, AbdulWahal 4, Lasquety 2, Mendoza 2, Evardo 2, Dela Virgen 0, Astila 0, Pontejos 0.
EAC 59 – Onwubere 18, Laminou 14, King 7, Serrano 7, Guzman 6, Munsayac 4, Morada 3, Pascua 0, Diego 0, Corilla 0, Mendoza.
Quarters: 19-10; 20-30; 45-44; 60-59.
Second Game (srs)
LYCEUM 75 – Alban 21, Nzeusseu 15, Baltazar 13, Alanes 11, Ayaay 6, Caduyac 6, Marata 1, Serafico 1, Magbuhos 1, Malabanan 0, Soliman 0, Soriano 0.
ST. BENILDE 58 – Fajarito 13, Haruna 13, Young 8, Dixon 8, Saavedra 6, Domingo JJ 4, San Juan 2, Pajarillaga 2, Pasamante 2, Castor 0, Domingo JS 0, Belgica 0, Leutcheu 0.
Quarters: 17-7; 33-23; 59-45; 75-58.
