Ex-high school aces power Cards vs Bombers

Games today (Filoil Flying V Center, San Juan) 8 a.m. – EAC vs LPU (jrs) 10 a.m. – UPHSD vs CSB (jrs) 12 noon – Letran vs EAC (srs) 2 p.m. – CSB vs SSC-R (srs) 4 p.m. – SBU vs JRU (srs) 6 p.m. – SBU vs JRU (jrs)

Former high school stars Warren Bonifacio and Eric Jabel marked their NCAA seniors debut in impressive fashion as they pooled 19 points to power Mapua past Jose Rizal U, 72-60, in the NCAA on Tour at the JRU gym in Mandaluyong City yesterday.

Products of Mapua’s high school program, Bonifacio and Jabel shook off early jitters then stepped up in the last 10 minutes where they combined for 10 markers to help the Cardinals pull away for good.

“That was expected for them, they’re top rated high school players,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co, referring to his prized recruits.

Bonifacio finished with 10 points and nine rebounds while Jabel chipped in nine points.

Co was specifically impressed with Jabel, who poured in seven points in the Cardinals’ big run in the final period.

In juniors’ action, JRU shocked last year’s runner-up Mapua, 80-70, to grab an early share of the lead with Perpetual Help and San Sebastian.

The Light Bombers pounced on the Red Robins’ woeful shooting that saw the latter miss 48 of their 75 shots that enabled the former to steal the victory. The scores: First Game (Juniors) JRU 80 – Dionisio 19, Buno 14, Amores 13, Vasquez 12, Baluyot 8, Mendoza 6, Portales 4, Icban 4, delos Santos 0, Macatangay 0, Fortuna 0, Garcia 0

MU 70 – Sarias 16, Mariano 13, Escamis 9, Policarpio 8, Quimado 8, Hernandez 7, Smith 6, Arches 3, Dennison 0, Chavez 0, Fransman 0, Diaz 0 Quarterscores: 18-12; 43-33; 63-60; 80-70 Second Game (Seniors) Mapua 72 – Victoria 11, Bonifacio 10, Jabel 9, Pelayo 8, Serrano 8, Biteng 8, Lugo 6, Gamboa 6, Bunag 4, Aguirre 2, Salenga 0, Garcia 0

JRU 60 – David 12, Mendoza 11, Bordon 9, Esguerra 6, Silvarez 6, dela Virgen 5, Santos 4, Padua 4, Miranda 3, Estrella 0, Mallari 0, Aguilar 0

Quarterscores: 25-14; 34-31; 52-47; 72-60