Jose Rizal University kept its playoff bid alive as the Heavy Bombers repeated over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 69-63, in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
JRU team captain Agem Miranda led the team with 16 points off the bench, while Marq Dionisio finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds, and Ry dela Rosa contributed 11 points.
The victory ended JRU’s three-game losing skid.
More importantly, JRU revived their playoff bid as it improved to 4-7 – three and a half games behind San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Letran with similar 7-3 cards for third and fourth slots in the standings.
JRU head coach Louie Gonzales was pleased with the way his players delivered in the final stretch that enabled them to beat the Generals for the second time. They won, 64-58, in their first meeting last Aug. 1.
JRU’s defense limited EAC to 21-of-58 (36.21%) shooting from the field, while converting 28-of-61 (45.90%) of its own attempts, and likewise controlled the boards, 46-31.
EAC, on the other hand, suffered its ninth straight loss to drop to 1-10 – the sixth straight season the school had a 10 or more losses.
“We’re thankful that at least we won,” said Gonzales. “But for me, more than the victory we got, it’s all about closing out the game. If you notice we really lost bad in our previous three games.”
“That was our problem, on how we close out. We all know that these are young players. But we’re not on that stage anymore. It’s all about mental toughness now and a matter of execution,” he added.
Gonzales said it’s important for him that his players are adjusting well on his system, this being his first year with the Heavy Bombers following his stint last year with De La Salle University. (Waylon Galvez)
JRU 69 – Miranda 16, Dionisio 13, Dela Rosa 11, Delos Santos 9, Amores 7, Aguilar 7, Arenal 6, Vasquez 0, Abaoag 0, Macatangay 0
EAC 63 – Maguliano 16, Mendoza 15, Cadua 7, Gurtiza 5, Corilla 4, Taywan 4, Luciano 3, Carlos 3, Estacio 2, De Guzman 2, Gonzales 2
Quarters: 13-16; 35-33; 52-50; 69-63.
Games Tuesday
(The Arena, San Juan City)
8 a.m. – SSC-R vs Perpetual Help (Jrs)
10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Jrs)
12 n.n. – SSC-R vs Perpetual Help (Srs)
2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Srs)
4 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Arellano (Srs)
6 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Arellano (Jrs)
